
Qass. 
Book. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 





P. ENGLISH, M 




The Doctor's 

Plain Talk 

OMEN 

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE 

OF THE 

SEXUAL SYSTEM 

AND THE RELATION OF THIS SYSTEM TO 

HEALTH, BEAUTY AND POPULARITY 

BY 

V. P. ENGLISH, M.D. 

Author of • ' The Mind and Its Machinery," " The Doctor's Plain Talk 
to Young- Men," "How to Cure Constipation, &c:" formerly 
Lecturer in the Extension Course of the Cleveland Uni- 
versity of Medicine and Surgery; Professor of 
Phrenology and Hygiene; Specialist 
in Spinal Irritation and all Dis- 
orders of Brain and Nerves, 
and the Diseases of 
Women. 



FIEST EDITION 

. . - • » a I 3 

1902: 
Ohio State Publishing Company 
•' ' cleveland, ohio 



THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two Cowes Recsjveo 

SEP. 29 1902 

.CoPVmflHT ENTRY 

CLffSS cL XXa No. 



Class cu 

COPT 8. 



Copyright 1902, by 
V. P. ENGLISH, M. D. 



All rights reserved. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 

FEMININE BEAUTY AND WHAT IT SIGNIFIES 

Tribute that the world pays'to beautiful girls — The great 
Creator's noblest and best works — The beauty of per- 
fection — A perfect girl — The relation of beauty to femi- 
nine perfection — How a beautiful face and figure are 
developed — Mental beauty — The real secret of physical 
beauty — Practical conclusions. - 13-18 

CHAPTER II 

SEXUALITY AND ITS RELATION TO HUMAN 
BEAUTY AND PERFECTION 

Who are the best men and women? — Sexuality — Influence 
and purpose of sex — Well sexed men and women — Sex- 
uality universally admired — The signs of sexuality an 
important part of feminine beauty — Appreciation be- 
stowed upon all well sexed ladies — Feminity in women 
always admired — Power and value of beauty — Beauty as 
an indication of superiority — How sexuality modifies 
the entire body and mind* .... 19-26 

CHAPTER III 

IMPORTANCE OF A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING 
OF NATURE'S SEXUAL LAWS 

Too much sexual energy and activity — Disasters wrought 
by uncontrolled sexuality — Why the sexual energies are 
so frequently misdirected — Erroneous opinions regard- 



iv CONTENTS 

ing the sexual organs — Degrading influences of ignor- 
ance — Notions of the ignorant regarding sexuality — 
Opinions of the more intelligent and refined — Rights of 
our young people — Health impaired and educational 
opportunities wasted — Nature's rewards and penalties — 
Helpfulness to be derived from the truth — Superiority in 
mental, physical and sexual poise — The kind of an angel 
a man likes. 27-36 



CHAPTER IV 

RELATION OF THE SEXUAL ORGANS TO THE 
REST OF THE BODY 

Nature's method of perpetuating life — Different plans for 
reproducing different forms of life — Hermaphrodites — 
Functions of male and female reproductive organs — 
Eggs and seeds — Simple and complicated organs of re- 
production — Various names applied to the sexual or- 
gans — Influence exerted by the sexual organs — Advan- 
tages derived from a superior reproductive system — A 
frequent mistake of young girls — Girls that do not 
understand themselves — Those who have never loved 
and those who have loved and lost — How the sexes in- 
fluence each other — The women that are most loved — 
Ladies who cannot become mothers — Unmarried girls 
— Effects of sexual abuse — Summary of conclusions 
from facts already considered. - 37-48 



CHAPTER V 

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 

Location of sexual organs, internal and external — Names of 
the female sexual organs — The womb ; its function — 
Size and weight of the womb — What the womb looks 
like ; its shape and dimensions further described — The 
os or mouth of the womb — The womb's location in the 
body — The vagina — Ovaries — How the ova get into the 
womb— Fallopian tubes— The hymen— The hymen as 
an evidence of chastity — Organs both internal and exter- 
nal —External organs ; the vulva — The mons Veneris — 
The external lips — The internal lips — The clitoris. 
49-66 



CONTENTS v 

CHAPTER VI 

MALE ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION 

What the male contributes in reproduction — The testicles — 
A test of virility — Glands — A test of an organ's import- 
ance — Seminal cells and tubes — The scrotum — The 
seminal vessels. ------ 67-74 



CHAPTER VII 

HOW PLANT REPRODUCTION BEGINS IN BLOSSOMS 

Male and female plants — Sexual organs of plants— Stamens 
and pistils — Pollen — Fertilization of flowers — Structure 
of flowers — Names of the different parts of a flower — 
Analysi of the morning glory — Stamens analyzed ; the 
anther — Pistils analyzed ; the ovary and stigma — A dia- 
gram — Parts composing a flower — Pollen magnified — 
Process of fertilization — A feature common to all flow- 
ers — Perfect flowers and those incomplete — Different 
methods by which flowers are fertilized — Male and fe- 
male strawberries — Use of the honey, odor and bright 
color of flowers — Plan of fertilization in common field 
corn — How different varieties of corn are mixed in fer- 
tilization — Necessity of the humble bees in fertilizing 
clover — Fertilization of night-blooming flowers. 
- 75-88 



CHAPTER VIII 

SEEDS AND EGGS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS IN 
REPRODUCTION 

What a seed really is — The germ — How to examine a germ 
— How the germ develops into a plant — A brief review — 
Some of Nature's plans for sowing her seeds — What an 
egg really is — Closeness of the similarity between eggs 
and seeds — The germinal spot — The development and 
depositing of eggs — How to examine the germinal spot 
— Hatching of fishes — Different methods by which eggs 
are fertilized — Requirements for hatching the eggs of 
warm blooded animals. ----- 89-100 



vi CONTENTS 

CHAPTER IX 

REPRODUCTION IN THE HUMAN FAMILY 

Success in human reproduction demanded by human econo- 
mies — Profusion of seeds produced by a single plant — 
Nature's policy of reproduction in the lower forms of 
life, reversed in the higher — Bxtensive destruction of 
blossoms and seeds and the eggs of the lowest animals — 
Better protection of birds' eggs and young birds — Still 
better protection of the eggs and young of the higher 
animals — How the human embryo and baby are pro- 
tected best of all — Proper food insured to the human 
baby — How a human baby is created — Semen more fully 
described — The spermatozoa — Meeting of the spermato- 
zoa and ova — Impregnation — Organ in which the sper- 
matozoa and ova develop into a baby — Smallness of 
human ova explained — Naval cord and placenta or after- 
birth — How the embryo is nourished by the pure blood 
of the mother — Perfection of the plans of human repro- 
duction — When impregnation may occur — Superiority 
of the plans for protecting the ova — How the protection 
of the spermatozoa is insured — Protection insured to the 
unborn babe — Evidence of a master mind shown in the 
plans of reproduction. ... - 101-116 

CHAPTER X 

nature's plans for insuring the most babies 
from the best parents 

Life of annual plants ended with the ripening of their seeds 
— Forces of the trees concentrated in reproduction — 
How plants exert every effort to reproduce — How the 
more vigorous plants crowd out the weaker — Why in- 
ferior flowers become extinct while the brighter and 
prettier thrive — Why the best animals perpetuatejihe 
species — Other reasons why the best animals beget and 
bear the most offspring — Why the best animals are 
mated first — How the stronger males prevent the weak- 
er from reproducing — The best babies possible insured 
by Nature's laws — Little birds and their rivals in mating 
—How song birds and those of brilliant plumage win 
their mates — Mating among wild animals — How the 
same laws operate in the human family. - 1 17-128 



CONTENTS vii 

CHAPTER XI 

INFLUENCE OF SEXUALITY UPON THE POPULARITY 
OF MEN AND WOMEN 

A key to the hearts of both sexes — Secret of popularity ex- 
amined — The law of popularity — What the pages of his- 
tory reveal — What determines who shall be most popu- 
lar with you — Sexuality's immediate relation to popular- 
ity — What men and women most admire in each other 
— Facts that illustrate these laws — What attracts the 
sexes to each other — An instinctive desire to repro- 
duce^ — An instinctive desire to produce the best off- 
spring possible — What the sexes admire in each other 
most of all — Desires only instinctive ; not intellectual — 
The real attraction between the sexes, and what most 
people think it is — Physical developments that men 
most admire in women and why — A fine bust and what 
it signifies — Mental qualities most admired in women 
and why — The kind of men that make the best hus- 
bands — Physical developments of men that women most 
admire and why — Mental characteristics that women 
most admire in men and why — Physical figures of the 
man and woman compared — Masculine women and 
effeminate men — Excellent sexuality a characteristic o f 
all handsome men and beautiful women. 

-------- 129-142 

CHAPTER XII 

AMATIVENESS AND ITS INFLUENCE UPON 

CHARACTER, CONDUCT, PERSONAL APPEARANCE 

AND POPULARITY 

The incentive that induces the sexes to be agreeable and 
attractive to each other — Location of the organ of ama- 
tiveness in the brain and how to estimate its strength — 
Why the cerebellum is a measure of amativeness and 
reproductive efficiency — Character and disposition of 
persons with large amativeness — Strength of amative- 
ness indicated by the chin — Strength and activity of the 
affections indicated by the lips — State of the affections 
indicated by biting the lips — Position that the head often 
assumes when strong affections are active — Gallantry a 



viii CONTENTS 

result of strong and active amativeness — How amative- 
ness affects the politeness and general conduct of ladies 
towards gentlemen — Relation of amativeness to muscu- 
lar power and endurance — Relation of amativeness to 
mental greatness — These laws illustrated by all promi- 
nent and popular men and women — Amativeness and 
sexuality not all, but an exceedingly important part of 
both beauty and popularity — Recapitulation. 143-154 

CHAPTER XIII 

MASTURBATION — THE PHILOSOPHY OF ITS 
EVIL RESULTS 

The mind as a factor in this vice — Masturbation slow but 
certain suicide — Injurious influence of masturbator's 
mental attitudes — Masturbation destructive to all that 
sexuality builds — Effects similar to those produced by 
castration — Destructive to sexuality — Nervous wreck — 
The act absolutely unnatural and self-destroying — En- 
slavement of its victim — Abnormal excitability — Drift- 
ing toward certain destruction — Loss of will power — 
The victim usually not the one most censurable — Bad 
associates — Knowledge a safeguard. - - 155-166 

CHAPTER XIV 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT EXPOSE THE 
MASTURBATOR'S GUILT 

Congestion in the sexual organs — Sensitive, feverish, 
uncomfortable, irritable condition of sexual organs — 
The brain and all other parts of body, improverished — 
Weak and sickly destroyed most quickly — Development 
of organs, prevented — Timidity, bashfulness and lack 
of self-possession — Avoid and shrink form opposite sex 
— Destruction of qualities that render the sexes attrac- 
tive to each other — Extreme debility — Pimples upon 
the face — Nerves of sensation blunted — Brain dull and 
deadened — Mind unresponsive, weak, dejected, melan- 
choly — Sleep unrefreshing — Self-reproach, remorse, 
and misery unspeakable — Insanity — Loss of tone in all 
parts of body — Less ability to resist cold and all epidem- 
ics — Still hope for all who can stop, now. - 167-176 



CONTENTS ix 

CHAPTER XV 

SEXUAL EXCESSES — CHASTITY — MARRIAGE 

Creater liability to disease — Motherhood — Chastity — Obliga- 
tion of husband — Certainty regarding who is a bab}-'s 
father, insured only by wife's chastity — The world's 
estimate of chastity — A girl's crowning virtue — A doub- 
le standard of morals and the reasons therefor — Un- 
wedded motherhood — The father suffers only in morals 
— The only safe course — What common sense demands 
— Prudence — Do not understand their own character — 
An injustice to men — Injustice to women — A more 
sensible view — Picnics, socials and parties — School girls 
and boys — Passion — A physician's experience — Secret 
thoughts and feelings — Only half in earnest — Each 
about equally responsible. - - . - - 177-194 

CHAPTER XVI 

COMMON SENSE TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL 
WRONGS 

Sexual passion — Relation between sexual passion and intel- 
lect — The animal part of man and the higher faculties — 
Shall we endeavor to kill animal passions or to wisely 
direct them? — Methods that do not require a physician 
— Treatment, both mental and physical — Starting on the 
road to recovery — Thoughts and feelings — Remove the 
cause — Cleanliness — Sitz bath — When the bath is most 
beneficial — A full bath — Diet — Nourishment without 
stimulation — Safeguards — Secret thoughts — Physical 
culture — Relation of passion to physical and mental 
effort — The whole matter in a nut shell — Associates — 
Possibilities of a single thought — Precautions that help 
to avoid sexual excitation — A noble life purpose — 
Wanted — Demand for superior women — Importance of 
hygienic measures — Caution against a possible mistake 
— Sexuality, not sexual passion — How sexuality may 
be developed — Excessive passion, depleting and exhaust- 
ing — Avoid the very beginning of danger — The reason 
that some patients fail — Impossibility of deceiving 
nature — Superb womanhood — Accumulated power, ener- 
gy and efficiency. ------ 195-220 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Fig. 




Page 


I 


The Womb Before Impregnation 


52 


2 


B— Lef t Half of Womb ; C— Posterior Half of Womb 53 


3 


Location of Womb ..... 


55 


4 


Right Half of Female Pelvis 


56 


5 


Womb, Ovaries and Fallopian Tubes 


58 


6 


Ovary and Fallopian Tube 


60 


7 


Female Reproductive System 


64 


8 


Half of Testicle 


70 


9 


Cherry Blossom 


79 


IO 


Stamens and Pistil - 


80 


ii 


Pollen Magnified 


82 


12 


Fertilization 


83 


13 


Grains of Corn Germinating 


90 


14 


Reproductive Organs of a Hen 


97 


15 


Human Spermatozoa . 


108 



The 
Doctor s Plain Talk 

TO 

Young Women 



CHAPTER I 

FEMININE BEAUTY AND WHAT IT SIGNIFIES 

TRIBUTE THAT THE WORLD PAYS TO 
BEAUTIFUL GIRLS 

All the world loves a beautiful girl. In all coun- 
tries and in all climes she is sought after, courted and 
admired. Kings, Emperors, Presidents and men in 
obscurity, ladies of renown and those in humble sta- 
tions, each, and all, admire feminine beauty and per- 
fection. Warriors, statesmen, merchants, and laborers 
vie with each other in paying homage to a girl that is 
beautiful. They are all ever ready to show her a 
polite attention or to perform a gallant service for her. 



14 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

Whenever she appears at an evening party, a picnic, 
church, or other social gathering, she is a center of 
attraction and admiration. 

Her photograph is published in magazines and news- 
papers, and she is admired by those whom she has 
never met, as well as by her most intimate friends. 

THE GREAT CREATOR'S NOBLEST AND BEST WORKS 

Throughout the whole world, the only recipient of 
greater attention or a higher degree of admiration, is 
a beautiful woman. And a beautiful woman is a beau- 
tiful girl matured and perfected. 

Perfect men and women are the great Creator's 
higest and noblest works. And boys and girls are 
men and women undeveloped. 

THE BEAUTY OF PERFECTION 

We all instinctively admire the beauty of perfection. 
In everything we admire and prize the best — the high- 
est mountains, the greenest fields, the greatest cataract, 
the most gorgeous sun-set, the fastest horse, the 
-heaviest cattle, the most beautiful'and fragrant flowers, 
the finest paintings, the largest trees, and the best 
machinery, are all objects of admiration the world 
over. And no matter what may be the language that 
the observer speaks, he usually expresses his admiration 
in a natural language, as well as in his native tongue, 



FEMININE BEAUTY 15 

and he is readily understood, even by those who can- 
not interpret his words. 

A PERFECT GIRL 

The best in both nature and art is always admired, 
and it is almost always considered beautiful. 

As the best men and women are the highest and 
noblest of all Nature's great works, it is they that 
receive the very highest degree of admiration. As a 
perfect girl has no superior in all the world except a 
perfect woman, it is only a perfect woman that is the 
recipient of a higher degree of admiration. 

THE RELATION OF BEAUTY TO FEMININE PERFECTION 

Beauty is an essential element of feminine perfec- 
tion. No woman, young or old, can be perfect and 
not be beautiful. It does not follow, however, that 
every beautiful girl is perfect. On the contrary, 
many of them are very far from perfection. And 
while beauty is an element essential to perfection, it 
is not the only one. We have all known beautiful 
girls that possesed very grave faults — faults that 
absolutely prevented these fair ones from even approx- 
imating perfection. And when we investigate the 
matter closely, we find that what we really admire, is 
perfection; and that beauty is universally admired 
because it is a part of perfection. The high tribute 
paid to feminine beauty is simply an illustration of the 



16 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

great appreciation that the world bestows upon a sin- 
gle element of feminine superiority. 

HOW A BEAUTIFUL FACE AND FIGURE 
ARE DEVELOPED 

Beauty, however, is a quality of no small signifi- 
cance. And those who have asserted that it is but 
" skin deep," have voiced a mistake. Beauty, on the 
contrary, extends to the very innermost recesses of 
the body. Every part and every tissue is characterized 
by the same degree of beauty and superiority. And 
it does not stop even there, but it extends to the very 
soul and permeates even the mind. Whenever the 
body is a beautiful one, this alone is positive proof 
that the mind is also beautiful, because the mind 
builds the body and it always builds a body that cor- 
responds with itself. When the mind is a beautiful 
one, it builds a body of equal beauty. "As a man 
thinketh in his heart, so is he." No more truth- 
ful words were ever spoken. The mind is really the 
man. And the body is a workshop, tools or machinery 
that the mind constructs for the purpose of executing 
its desires. Our thoughts, feelings, emotions and 
desires, determine the qualities of our bodies. The 
kind of a body we have, depends upon the kind of 
thoughts we think, together with our feelings, desires, 
emotions and passions. 



FEMININE BEAUTY 17 

MENTAL BEAUTY 

A beautiful girl has a beautiful mind, and she has 
been thinking beautiful thoughts. And she is beau- 
tiful because her mind is beautiful. And the degree 
of her physical beauty indicates the degree of her 
mental beauty. The degree of her physical perfection 
indicates the degree of perfection in the mind that 
built the physique. 

THE REAL SECRET OF PHYSICAL BEAUTY 

The mind and body always correspond with each 
other. Hence, to improve our bodies, we must first 
improve our minds. Elevate the character of the 
thoughts we think, and our bodies will be correspond- 
ingly beautified. To increase the utility of our living 
temples, and to enhance their beauty, there must first 
be an acquisition of power and an increased beauty in 
the conceptions of the architects that plan them and 
supervise their construction and rebuilding. 

PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS 

A beautiful girl, then, is the product of a beautiful 
mind. And the degree of her physical beauty cor- 
responds with the degree of beauty in her mental 
ideals. It corresponds with her mental conceptions, 
her thoughts, feelings, emotions, passions, appetites 
and desires. All beautiful girls, are in some respects 



18 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

at least, superior girls. And they are universally 
admired because their beauty is instinctively recognized 
as evidence of this superiority. The nearness of a 
girl's approach to physical perfection, is a measure of 
her nearness to mental perfection. The fact that a 
girl is nearly perfect in physique, is prima facie evi- 
dence that she is nearly perfect in mind. 

But what is perfection? Who is the perfect man? 
And who, the perfect woman? And in what does their 
perfection consist? 

These questions will be discussed in the next chapter. 



CHAPTER II 

SEXUALITY AND ITS RELATION TO HUMAN 
BEAUTY AND PERFECTION 

WHO ARE THE BEST MEN AND WOMEN? 

The best men and women are those who are best 
qualified to execute all that Nature requires of perfect 
men and perfect women. The best men and women 
are strong and vigorous in every department of body 
and mind. They enjoy the best of health and are well 
balanced, evenly developed and harmonious. A part 
of their faculties and organs are not so strong and 
active that they are exercised beyond the point of 
endurance, and are consequently exhausted, while other 
faculties and organs are so weak that they are hardly 
exercised at all, thus leaving these people incomplete 
in a part of the essentials of a well rounded out and 
perfect body and mind. 

On the contrary, perfect men and women have 
perfect health and activity in every department of 
their bodies and minds. No part of the body or mind 
is over strong or active, and no part is weak and 
inactive. Every part is complete and it fully performs 
all of its functions, but it is not over large and strong,. 



20 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

and it does not overpower nor detract from any other 
part. 

SEXUALITY 

One of the essentials of perfect manhood, is perfect 
fatherhood. And one of the essentials of perfect 
womanhood, is perfect motherhood. 

Perfect men and women, then, are, or may be, 
perfect fathers and mothers. But they are also per- 
fect in every other respect. 

Perfection, however, is exceedingly rare. Perhaps 
there never was a perfect man nor a perfect woman. 
The best, therefore, are those who most nearly ap- 
proach perfection. But it is not our purpose in this 
book to discuss all elements of human superiority. Our 
principal object is the elucidation of but one. And 
when others are discussed, it will be but incidentally 
and for the purpose of further elucidating this one. 

The one to which we refer, is that which distin- 
guishes man from woman. It is what enables a man 
to become a father, and a woman to become a mother. 
It is that in which man differs from woman. It is 
what renders man, masculine, and woman, feminine. 
It is the masculine part of men, and the feminine part 
of women. It is the sex. 

INFLUENCE AND PURPOSE OP SEX 

Sex modifies every department of both body and 



BEAUTY AND SEXUALITY 21 

mind. A masculine body is dominated by a masculine 
mind, and a feminine body, by a feminine mind. A mas- 
culine body is developed for the purpose of executing 
the desires of a masculine mind. And a feminine body 
for executing the desires of a feminine mind. 

WELL SEXED MEN AND WOMEN 

One of the desires of a masculine mind, is father- 
hood. And it developes a body qualified to gratify 
this desire. Motherhood is one of the important 
desires of a feminine mind, and it developes a body 
qualified to gratify this desire. Parenthood is one of 
the most important objects of all animal life. And 
the better an animal can perform this office, the better 
is the animal. And in order that human beings, or 
any other animals, may be superior parents, the mas- 
culine characteristics must be strong in the males, and 
the feminine characteristics, strong in the females. In 
other words, the sex in each must be well developed. 
The man must be large and strong in those organs and 
qualities possessed by men and not by women. And the 
woman must be large and strong in those organs and 
qualities possessed by women and not by men. Such 
are said to be well sexed. And they are universally 
admired. 

SEXUALITY UNIVERSALLY ADMIRED 

Other things being equal, the better a person is 



22 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

sexed, the more nearly is that person perfect, and the 
more admired. 

It is the masculine characteristics that ladies ad- 
mire in men, and the feminine characteristics that 
men admire in women, and so highly prize in a sweet- 
heart or wife. Eliminate the feminine characteristics 
from a woman, and no man would be attracted to her. 
No man would care any more for her society than for 
the society of a man. 

THE SIGNS OP SEXUALITY AN IMPORTANT PART OF 
FEMININE BEAUTY 

The men and women who are popular, and who are 
considered beautiful, are well sexed. Beautiful soci- 
ety ladies, actresses and singers, whose photographs 
are exhibited in our magazines and newspapers, are all 
well sexed. The indications of sex in a woman's face 
are a part of her beauty. With the sexual character- 
istics eliminated, a woman could not even approach 
perfection. The signs of excellent sexuality could not 
appear in her face and figure, and nobody would con- 
sider her beautiful. She would be incomplete and very 
imperfect, and nobody admires imperfections. The 
signs of sexuality in the face and figure, or the lack of 
them, cannot be hidden. Consequently, all who are well 
sexed, will exhibit the beauty that is always given by 
this valuable attribute. And all those who are not 



BEAUTY AND SEXUALITY 23 

well sexed, can not conceal the deficiencies and homli- 
ness resulting from a lack of this quality. 

APPRECIATION BESTOWED UPON ALL WELL SEXED 
LADIES 

To be sure, most people have no intellectual under- 
standing of what these signs mean. They simply 
know that they like the appearance of certain ladies, 
and that they do not like the appearance of others. 
But all who investigate and understand these princi- 
ples, know that one of the things that is considered 
beautiful, and that is universally admired, is the com- 
bination of signs indicating a normal, healthful and 
vigorous sexuality. It matters not how nearly perfect 
a woman may be in all other attributes, if she does 
not exhibit the signs of being well sexed, she will be 
totally debarred from a contest for public apprecia- 
tion in a competition with ladies equal to her in other 
respects, and who have the additional advantage of 
being well sexed. 

FEMININITY IN WOMEN ALWAYS ADMIRED 

If she is well sexed, she will exhibit superior 
femininity, and that is what people admire in women. 
It is the most masculine men and the most feminine 
women that are best qualified to execute all that 
Nature expects of human beings. It is they who are 



24 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

most nearly perfect, and therefore most highly ad- 
mired, because the world admires perfection. 

The world does not admire an effeminate man, nor a 
masculine woman. Even with boys and girls this same 
principle applies. It is not the timid, cowardly, girlish 
boy that is a favorite, nor the bold, boyish girl. The 
schoolmates of such boys and girls treat them with 
contempt, pity, indifference or ridicule. It is the brave, 
self-reliant, positive and manly boy that is admired, and 
it is the girl who exhibits the qualities that are 
strictly feminine. Femininity, however, does not im- 
ply weakness and inefficiency. 

POWER AND VALUE OF BEAUTY 

A great deal has been said in regard to the dangers 
of beauty and also in regard to the faults of beautiful 
girls and women. But most of these criticisms are 
unjust and have been made by those who did not fully 
understand the subject. While beauty is a power that 
has sometimes been used by dangerous and designing 
women for the purpose of gaining some selfish end, it 
is not the beauty that should be censured in such in 
stances, but the objectionable qualities with which it is 
associated. And even these instances illustrate 
beauty's power and worth. 

And when the beauty of some innocent and unsuspect- 
ing girl has been the temptation that resulted in her 



BEAUTY AND SEXUALITY 25 

downfall, it is not the beauty that should be condemned, 
hut the ignorance, imprudence, or deficiencies in other 
qualities that rendered her downfall possible. And also 
the lack of balance and discretion in the one that 
caused her misfortune. And instead of deprecating 
the physical beauty of these fair but unbalanced girls, 
a real and valuable service may be rendered by assist- 
ing them to develop equal superiority in all other de- 
sirable attributes. Let us not attempt to tear down or 
detract from any good quality because it over shadows 
or overbalances other good qualities that are not strong 
enough. On the contrary, let us endeavor to develop 
sufficient strength in all good qualities. 

BEAUTY AS AN INDICATION OF SUPERIORITY 

' Whatever may be said to the discredit of physical 
beauty, it will ever remain an indication of superiority. 
And however thoroughly a person may decide intel- 
lectually that he disregards it, he will, nevertheless, 
instinctively feel and know that beauty is an evidence 
of superior qualities. Those who are greatly alarmed 
about its dangers and the vices to which it might lead, 
have seen only a part of the truth, and their pessimistic 
conclusions will soon be forgotten. But the great laws 
of Nature that render beauty an indication of superi- 
ority, will ever endure. And a more enlightened gener- 
ation will intellectually understand the reasons why we 



26 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN. 

instinctively feel a high regard for all beauty, and 
especially for beautiful ladies and gentlemen. 

HOW SEXUALITY MODIFIES THE ENTIRE BODY 
AND MIND 

But physical beauty is not the only valuable attribute 
that is enhanced by being well sexed. Sexuality modi- 
fies the entire mind and body. It effects not only the 
entire physical appearance, but it also modifies the tones 
of the voice, the carriage, manners, and the very 
thoughts. Nothing is more influential in determining 
the success or failure of a person's life, than the de- 
velopment and health or disease o£ the sexual system. 
These laws are more fully discussed in succeeding pages.. 



CHAPTER III 

IMPORTANCE OF A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING 
OF NATURE'S SEXUAL LAWS 

TOO MUCH SEXUAL ENERGY AND ACTIVITY 

From the facts discussed in preceding pages the 
reader must not conclude that it is impossible for a 
person to be over well sexed, so to speak. In other 
words, to have too much sexuality — to have an exces- 
sively developed sexual system, or to have more than 
enough sexual energy and activity — for indeed all of 
this is possible And too much sexual energy and 
activity is even more unfortunate than a deficiency. 
And whenever there is more than can be properly con- 
trolled and directed, there is then too much. 

DISASTERS WROUGHT BY UNCONTROLLED SEXUALITY 

Nothing in fact is more thoroughly disastrous to all 
earthly prospects, than the uncontrolled, undirected or 
misdirected energies and activities of the sexual system. 
Nothing is more destructive to beauty, health, strength, 
vigor, mentality and all other desirable attributes. 
Nothing will more thoroughly force a person into the 



28 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

very depths of inferiority. Nothing will cause more 
abject misery both mental and physical. 

WHY THE SEXUAL ENERGIES ARE SO FREQUENTLY 
MISDIRECTED 

It is very seldom, however, that there is so much 
sexuality that it cannot be controlled and directed. 
But the cases in which it is not, are very numerous. 
These cases, however, usually arise from the fact that 
the victim does not realize the importance of properly 
controlling and directing the sexual energies and ac- 
tivities, or else the unfortunate sufferer does not know 
how. Both of which we shall endeavor to make plain 
in the chapters that follow. 

ERRONEOUS OPINIONS REGARDING THE SEXUAL ORGANS 

The wrongs resulting from uncontrollable or misdi- 
rected sexual energy are, perhaps, responsible for the 
fact that so many people seem to think that the sex- 
ual system is something to be ashamed of. That the 
sexual organs are impure, unclean and vulgar. 

In generations past, when the masses were much 
less enlightened than they are at the present time, 
people saw the evils resulting from the sexual organs, 
Lut they failed to see and duly appreciate, all the good. 
They were in consequence fully impressed by the evils 
that might result from them, but they were ignorant 



IMPORTANCE OF SEXUAL LAWS 29 

regarding many of the benefits. And they naturally 
concluded that the sexual organs are evil, unclean and 
vulgar. 

DEGRADING INFLUENCES OF IGNORANCE 

Ignorance is ever debasing. Ignorant people are 
usually superstitious and they can frequently see a 
great deal more evil in the world than good. Even the 
religion of the past was one of revenge, cruelty, intol- 
erance, oppression and gloomy forebodings, rather than 
one of kindness, sympathy hope and helpfulness. It 
taught the total depravity of man, and that only a fa- 
vored few, who were elected before birth, could ever 
be saved. Even our good old Presbyterian fathers 
taught that babies who die before they are baptized, 
will be burned throughout eternity in a lake of fire and 
brimstone. But the present tendency of the wiser and 
better part of the world is towards kindness, sympa- 
thy, humanity, cheerfulness, hope and mutual helpfulness. 
And though the doctrine of infant damnation is still a 
part of the Presbyterian creed at the time these pages 
are being written, perhaps nobody believes it. It is 
simply a dead letter and its continued existence in the 
creed is a matter of controversy between the more 
progressive thinkers in the church, and those who 
cling to past traditions. The more progressive are 
perhaps ashamed that such a doctrine was ever a part 



30 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

of the Presbyterian creed, and they are anxious to blot 
it out. But the old fathers cling to it through their 
reverence for things antique and established. The 
more progressive recognize the fact that the greater 
enlightenment and refinement of the present and fu- 
ture generations are not in harmony with such inhu- 
man relics of a more barbarous age, and that the 
Presbyterian church can gather its membership from 
the progressive and refined people of the present and 
future, only by keeping more nearly abreast with the 
science and enlightenment of the times. And it is only 
a question of a little time until everybody will regard 
such creeds simply as relics of a less enlightened age. 

NOTIONS OF THE IGNORANT REGARDING SEXUALITY 

The same principles apply to sexual science. There 
are still many people among the ignorant and less pro- 
gressive classes who regard the sexual organs as neces- 
sarily impure, unclean, degrading and vulgar. And 
when these organs are mentioned they have a feeling 
of immodesty, shame, or vulgar curiosity. If they are 
parents, and speak of these sexual organs in the 
presence of their children, they do so with a sneaking, 
mean look and manner. They seem to think that 
ignorance is equivalent to innocence; and the only safe- 
guard to virture. 



IMPORTANCE OF SEXUAL LAWS 31 

OPINIONS OP THE MORE INTELLIGENT AND REFINED 

But the more intellectual, refined and progressive 
people of to-day, recognize the fact that young people, 
as a rule, prefer to do whatever is to their best inter- 
ests. They also realize that it is the abuse of the sex- 
ual organs, and not their normal use, that can in any 
way render them vulgar. That the sexual system, 
rightly used, is just as pure and useful as any other 
part of the body. They recognize the possibilities of 
the sexual system in conducing to the highest, noblest 
and best interests of its possessor, as well as its possi- 
bilities in producing the most abject misery and suffer- 
ing. 

And when they fully consider the matter, they real- 
ize that the young who are uninformed, are even more 
liable to take the road that leads to destruction, than 
the one that leads to their best interests. The total 
depravity of our forefathers, perhaps. But the more 
highly intellectual and humane thought of the present 
day, will explain this apparent perversity by saying 
that there is but one right way — but one "straight and 
narrow path" — and there are hundreds of wrong ones. 
And it is altogether unreasonable to expect inexperi- 
enced and uninstructed mortals to always find the one 
right path which leads to their highest and best inter- 



32 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

ests, when there are hundreds of paths apparently just 
as inviting, that lead to destruction. 

RIGHTS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Therefore, sensible, conscientious and humane men 
and women realize that girls and boys are just as much 
entitled to information regarding the sexual organs, as 
they are to any other education; and that it is not 
only unjust but absolutely inhuman to withhold such 
knowledge from them. 

It would be just as sensible to expect girls and boys 
to successfully operate a sewing machine, steam en- 
gine or electric motor without instruction, as it is to 
expect them to be wise without information, in regard 
to the proper care and use of the sexual system. 
Steam, fire, electricity and blasting powder are all 
forms of energy that greatly add to the comfort and 
well-being of man, if they are rightly used. But when 
wrongly used they may destroy him. The same is true 
of sexual energy and the sexual organs. And if the 
young are not taught their uses and guarded against 
their abuses, there is no just reason why they should 
understand what is right and what is wrong in regard 
to them. It is just as reasonable to expect uninstruct- 
ed young people to care for and operate an engine, 
motor, sewing machine, watch or automobile. If the 



IMPORTANCE OF SEXUAL LAWS 33 

sexual system could be withheld until marriage and 
then given to them with full instructions, the case 
would be different. But it cannot be thus withheld. 

Every girl and boy must have these organs at birth. 
And when they need information and council most, is 
before they have arrived at the age of maturity and 
discretion. 

HEALTH IMPAIRED AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 
WASTED 

Yet large sums of money are spent in order to ed- 
ucate and train the intellects of girls and boys who are 
left uninstructed regarding the sexual system, and who 
are thus permitted to ignorantly wreck their future 
prospects by a violation of Nature's laws, thus not only 
defeating their possibilities of gaining an education, 
but also preventing them from ever accomplishing any 
worthy purpose in the world, until after the health is 
repaired. And the repair of the health is often very 
difficult and is sometimes impossible. And when its 
repair is eventually accomplished, it is only after years 
of suffering and wasted time. Our common schools, 
academies and colleges would therefore be of much 
more real assistance to the young if they taught, at 
least, a part of the principles of sexual science. 

In the absence of such instruction in schools, to- 
gether with the inability or disinclination of so many 



34 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

parents and guardians to properly impart a knowledge 
of sexual science, lies the necessity of such books as 
this. 

In this book we shall aim to give the kind of infor- 
mation that will be of real benefit and assistance to 
young women. We shall not attempt to preach nor to 
make the book semi-religious. A number of good books 
are already published for the benefit of those who can 
derive additional assistance and consolation from relig- 
ion in connection with their endeavors to understand 
sexual science and to apply it to their own lives. And 
what we shall attempt to do, is to teach and explain 
sexual science, rather than to advise and exhort. We 
shall not attempt to avoid delicate or disagreeable sub- 
jects, but to treat them in a practical, common-sense, 
and scientific manner. 



Neither shall we appeal to the morals, except as 
common-sense and morality are inseparable. The great 
laws of Nature are absolutely positive, unequivocal, 
unmerciful and irrevocable, but exceedingly just and 
impartial. And we are so adjusted to these laws that 
every loyalty to them brings its reward, and every vio- 
lation brings a punishment. There is not a single 
exception. There cannot be, and never was an exception, 
and what we shall attempt to do in this book is to teach 
a part of these laws. 



IMPORTANCE OF SEXUAL LAWS 35 

Whenever we violate a law of Nature, we must pay 
the penalty. And when we harmonize our lives with 
these great laws, we receive our reward. No matter 
whether the observance or violation is intentional and 
with a full understanding, or is totally unconscious. 
The results are just the same in either case. It is 
therefore a matter of no little importance to know 
what these laws are. 

HELPFULNESS TO BE DERIVED FROM THE TRUTH 

And it is the purpose of this book to point out and 
explain a part of those that apply to the sexual system. 
"We hope to save innocent girls and young ladies from 
the misfortunes and miseries that are the penalties 
inflicted for violating sexual laws, and to instruct them 
in regard to the grand possibilities awaiting those who 
are Icyal to Nature's edicts. We shall endeavor to be 
plain and practical, to use language that all can under- 
stand, to discuss our subjects from the standpoint of a 
scientist and physician, rather than a sentimentalist, 
and to make the book really helpful. 

At present we shall not attempt a detailed enumer- 
ation of all the various penalties inflicted by Nature for 
a violation of her sexual laws, nor to describe in detail 
her rewards for their observance. These subjects will, 
however, be more fully described in subsequent chapters. 



36 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

SUPERIORITY IN MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND 
SEXUAL POISE 

And in concluding this chapter we will again remind 
our readers that the highest type of woman is well 
sexed and well poised. Her sexual system is amply 
qualified to do all that Nature requires. But so are all 
her other organs. And there is a proper poise or 
balance between the sexual system and all other parts 
of the body The sexual system is not too weak to per- 
form its natural functions, nor so strong or active that 
it usurps energies that rightfully belong to other parts 
of the body. 

THE KIND OF AN ANGEL A MAN LIKES 

A part of what we mean by a well poised or com- 
plete woman, is forcibly expressed in the following 
quotation from a sermon by Rev. John L. Scudder, a 
Congregational minister of Jersey City, N. J. : 

" The kind of angel I like to see weighs not less than 
one hundred and thirty pounds. 

"Her waist is more than five inches in diameter; 
she never has hysterics. 

"She has a clear head, a pure heart and a cheerful 
disposition. She is a real woman — nothing artificial or 
assumed about her. She is no sham, no apology, or 
caricature of a woman. She is just what God meant 
her to be — healthy, hearty, and perfectly natural." 



CHAPTER IV 

RELATION OF THE SEXUAL ORGANS TO THE 
REST OF THE BODY 

nature's method of perpetuating life 

When animals and plants have reached a certain 
degree of maturity, they can then become parents. In 
other words, they can then produce young similar to 
themselves. Each variety of animal and vegetable life, 
is, therefore, enabled to reproduce itself. And all 
varieties are ever being thus reproduced. Horses, 
cattle, dogs, cats, trees, flowers, grass, vegetables, and 
all other species of animals and plants possess this 
ability. 

Reproduction is Nature's method of perpetuating 
animal and vegetable life. And if this part of her 
work should be suspended, all animals and all vegetation 
would gradually become extinct, and the earth would be 
a barren waste. 

The continued operation of these laws of reproduc- 
tion, is therefore a matter of considerable importance. 
And they apply, of course, to the human race just the 
same as to all other living things. 



38 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

DIFFERENT PLANS FOR REPRODUCING DIFFERENT 
FORMS OF LIFE 

Nature's operations are not matters of luck nor 
chance. On the contrary, her laws are such that her 
objects must be accomplished. 

We frequently fail to understand her laws, and we 
are often unable to see why many of her objects are so 
successfully attained. But whenever we do understand 
what her objects are, and how they are accomplished, 
we see that she employs a definite means to enable her 
to accomplish a certain end. In her work of repro- 
duction, the methods and organs by which she accom- 
plishes her object, greatly vary in the different grades 
of vegetable and animal life, but the means employed 
in each grade are definite and effective. And in all 
grades, organs are employed that are especially well 
adapted to the functions for which they were designed. 
And while the methods of reproduction in the lower 
forms of life are very different from those employed in 
the higher, yet they all seem to be equally effective and 
the work of reproduction goes steadily on. 

HERMAPHRODITES 

In some of the lower forms of life, both the male 
and female repioductive organs are possessed by the 
same individual. Such an animal or plant is therefore 



RELATION OF SEXUAL ORGANS 39 

both male and female. And the function of reproduc- 
tion begins and ends in the one individual. These ani- 
mals and plants are called hermaphrodites. But the 
higher animals are either male or female. The male 
reproductive organs belonging to one individual, and 
the female organs to another. Two of these animals, 
one of each sex, must therefore co-operate in reproduc- 
tion. The male supplies one element, and the female, 
another element. These two elements must unite in 
order to begin the existence of a new life. 

FUNCTIONS OF MALE AND FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE 
ORGANS 

One of the functions of the male reproductive 
organs, is to produce the element supplied by the male 
in reproduction. And one of the functions of the fe- 
male reproductive organs, is to develop the element 
supplied by the female in reproduction. And a func- 
tion of both the male and female reproductive organs, 
is to bring the male and female elements together and 
to thus permit these elements to unite and usher into 
existence the beginning of a separate individual. 

EGGS AND SEEDS 

A plant usually develops from a seed. An animal, 
except in the lower forms of animal life, develops from 
an egg. In the highest animals, including human beings, 



40 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

the young animal partly develops from the egg while it 
is still within the mother's body. Young birds, fishes, 
reptiles and many insects hatch from the eggs after 
they have passed out of the mother's body. This will 
all be more fully explained in subsequent chapters. 

SIMPLE AND COMPLICATED ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION 

As we have before stated, Nature employs a definite 
means to accomplish a certain end. To accomplish the 
work of reproduction, she employs organs that are 
adapted to perform this work. 

In the lower forms of animal life, the young animal 
is not a very complicated organization, and the organs 
by which it is brought into existence are correspond- 
ingly simple. 

But the young of all the higher animals, including 
human beings, are very complicated organizations, cor- 
responding with their parents, and a complicated and 
highly organized system of organs is required in order 
to bring them into existence. The human male and 
female reproductive systems, are therefore quite com- 
plicated and very highly organized. 

VARIOUS NAMES APPLIED TO THE SEXUAL ORGANS 

As the organs of reproduction are instrumental in 
generating new life, they are often called the genital 



RELATION OF SEXUAL ORGANS 41 

organs. And also, the genitals and the organs of gen- 
eration. 

The sexual organs, organs of reproduction, repro- 
ductive organs, organs of generation, the genitals and 
the genital organs, are therefore simply different names 
for the same organs. 

INFLUENCE EXERTED BY THE SEXUAL ORGANS 

The reproductive organs exert an influence so great 
and far-reaching that it can never be fully appreciated 
"by a young girl, nor, indeed, by most other people. 

This influence can really be but indefinitely estimat- 
ed by the best philosopher, because it extends not only 
to all people in the world to-day, but also to those yet 
unborn. 

These organs affect not only the health, beauty, 
happiness and prosperity of people now living, but they 
also very largely determine the destinies of future gen- 
erations. The possibilities of future generations depend 
upon the qualities of the babies born in this generation. 

And the qualities of the babies are immeasurably 
influenced by the efficiency of the organs that bring 
them into existence. 

ADVANTAGES DERIVED FROM A SUPERIOR 
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 

Weak and inferior men and women cannot become 



42 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

the parents of superior babies. Neither can men and 
women who are sufficiently well qualified in all other 
respects, but who are inferior sexually. Superior babies 
can be produced only by parents who are superior sex- 
ually and in other respects also. 

If the sexual organs are weak, undeveloped, ineffi- 
cient or diseased, they can generate only inferior babies 
or none at all. 

The future destiny of a nation will therefore be very 
greatly influenced by the sexuality of its men and women 
and its boys and girls. If the parents are superior, 
their babies will also be superior, and these babies will 
grow into superior men and women. 

A FREQUENT MISTAKE OF YOUNG GIRLS 

Some of the girls who read this will perhaps say: 
Oh, well, that don't concern me, personally, because I 
shall never marry. And I shall never have any babies. 
And a part of these girls will really believe that what 
they say is true. And of course some of them will not 
marry. But the majority of girls do. And the majority 
of those who read this book, will, regardless of what 
they may now think. 

GIRLS THAT DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES 

There is perhaps nobody that has a more indefinite 
and erroneous understanding of self, than the average 



RELATION OF SEXUAL ORGANS 43 

young girl. She does not seem to have the least concep- 
tion or realization of a part of her nature. If she talks 
about love and young men and marriage and mother- 
hood, it is usually only her intellect that is active, 
together with feelings that are not intimately related 
to these subjects, and she does not seem to even sus- 
pect that she may have other feelings, emotions and 
passions that are now quiet, but which are liable to 
become aroused, and which will then give her an almost 
irresistible desire to do the very things that she had 
only a little while before, felt that she would never wish 
to do under any circumstances. 

THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER LOVED AND THOSE WHO 
HAVE LOVED AND LOST 

But no matter what the girls who have never loved 
may now think, the chances are in favor of them marry- 
ing. And even those who have loved but have been 
disappointed in love, the chances are that they too will 
marry. Most girls in the past, have, and there is no 
reason to suppose that those of the present and imme- 
diate future will be very different in this respect from 
their mothers and grandmothers. And even though a 
girl may feel certain that she will neither love nor 
marry, nevertheless, she will most likely do both. 



44 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

HOW THE SEXES INFLUENCE EACH OTHER 

She will probably meet a young man who will seem 
to her to be different from other men. And this young 
man, in some mysterious way that neither he nor the 
young lady could explain, will exert such an influence 
upon her that they will be mutually attracted to each 
other, and feelings that she never realized that she 
possessed, will become so very strong that she will 
" know that she could not live without him," nor without 
doing the very things that only a short time before 
she felt certain that she would never do. 

Not all the girls, of course, will have such an experi- 
ence as this, but many of them will, and the majority 
will marry and become mothers by virture of some 
reason, motive, desire, passion or other influence, 
regardless of what they may now think. And their 
happiness, comfort, satisfaction and success will be 
inconceivably increased by being good wives and 
mothers. 

THE WOMEN THAT ARE MOST LOVED 

If a wife is weak, sickly, fretful, nervous and dis- 
ordered sexually, a husband can never have the same 
regard and love for her that he would have if she were 
qualified in every way to be a first-class wife. And 
under these circumstances it would be impossible for a 



RELATION OF SEXUAL ORGANS 45 

woman to bear fine, smart, strong and intellectual 
children. And the kind of children that a woman bears, 
influences her own happiness to an extent that it is 
impossible for a girl to any more than very indefinitely 
realize. The difference between being the mother of 
weak, sickly, dull or bad children, and those that are 
strong, bright, intellectual, happy, hopeful and in every 
way superior, is a difference too great to be fully 
realized. 

And the difference between grown up sons and 
daughters that hold positions of trust, honor and 
responsibility, and who are, in every way a success — the 
difference between these, and those that are weak and 
sickly, or so dull and inferior that they can hold only 
menial positions, is a difference so great that it can 
never be fully appreciated. 

LADIES WHO CAN NOT BECOME MOTHERS 

And if the sexual system is greatly deficient or dis- 
ordered, a woman can not become a mother at all. 
This to one that has strong motherly feelings, is a dis- 
appointment that is indeed very hard to bear. 

UNMARRIED GIRLS 

But the happiness and success of a young girl while 
she is still unmarried, are also very greatly influenced 



46 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

by the state of her reproductive organs. These organs 
are so very intimately related to the rest of the body, 
that their condition greatly influences all other parts, 
and also the mind. 

Weakness, irritation, disease or lack of development 
in the sexual organs, detract from all desirable physi- 
cal and mental qualities. 

Health, vigor and normal development in these 
organs, have a very beneficial influence upon all other 
parts of the body and also upon the mind. 

The state of a girl's sexual organs so affects her 
entire body and mind that it has more influence upon 
her popularity in society than any other one thing. 
We have already seen how it influences her beauty, but 
her thoughts, feelings, emotions and manners are influ- 
enced, also. She can not be popular in society if her 
sexual organs are undeveloped or greatly disorderd, 
because her manner, thoughts, feelings and emotions 
will not be such that they will interest other people 
enough to render her popular. And when such a girl 
appears at social gatherings, she is one that will be 
avoided, disregarded, left alone, unnoticed, etc. 

EFFECTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE 

But of all the misfortunes that may overtake a girl, 
none are more disastrous than those caused by an abuse 



RELATION OF SEXUAL ORGANS 47 

of the reproductive system. Even when the sexual 
organs are normal and efficient in every way, if they 
are abused, all desirable qualities, both physical and 
mental, will disappear. This abuse will slowly destroy 
all beauty, health, physical strength, mentality and 
popularity. Girls who are the victims of this self-destroy- 
ing habit, cannot learn their lessons well enough to 
compete with their schoolmates in study, neither can 
they have the strength, health and activity necessary to 
successfully compete in physical sports. 

They can neither work nor study effectively. They 
cannot understand their lessons, and they lose their 
memory and are unable to remember what they have 
learned. In short, they become vastly inferior in every 
way, and will be shunned, disrespected, annoyed and 
slighted in ways innumerable. 

But why further consider these points here? They 
are described and explained in detail and discussed at 
length in subsequent chapters. 

SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS FROM FACTS ALREADY 
CONSIDERED 

Some of the more important facts that we have 
thus far discussed, may be summed up as follows: The 
sexual system is that part of the body which comprises 
those physical organs by which the work of reproduc- 
tion is accomplished. These sexual organs are so very 



48 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

intimately related to all parts of the body, and also 
to the mind, that their condition inestimably influences 
all physical and mental attributes. 

These organs of reproduction really form such a very 
important part of the body, that feminine beauty and 
popularity are dependent upon their normal develop- 
ment, health and vigor. If they are never properly de- 
veloped; or, if after having become normally developed, 
they then become greatly disordered or diseased; or if 
they are impaired or their vigor and efficiency destroyed 
by abuse or abnormal use, the deficiencies caused there- 
by, will leave a woman very incomplete, unbalanced and 
abnormal. The blank left in a woman's entire mind and 
body, by these deficiencies, is so very great that she can 
never be beautiful nor popular, nor equal to well 
sexed, normal women in physique or mentality. 



CHAPTER V 

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 

LOCATION OF SEXUAL ORGANS, INTERNAL AND 
EXTERNAL 

The reproductive organs of both sexes are located 
at the lower part of the trunk. In both sexes a part 
of these organs are on the outside of the body and part 
of them are concealed within. 

The following diagram exhibits the names of the 
female reproductive organs and indicates which of these 
organs are internal, and which external: 







Womb 






Vagina 




Internal ■ 


Ovaries 


NAMES 




Fallopian Tubes 


OF THE 




Hymen 


FEMALE " 






SEXUAL 




Larger or External Lips 


ORGANS 


External 
(Vulva) 


Smaller or Internal Lips 
Clitoris 
- Mons Veneris 



50 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

These are the physical organs that enable a woman 
to perform her part in bringing little babies into exist- 
ence. 

Collectively, all the reproductive organs of either 
sex, are called a system: as — the male reproductive 
system, the female reproductive system, sexual system, 
generative system, etc. 

THE WOMB — ITS FUNCTION 

The first one of the female organs of reproduction 
that we shall describe, is the womb or uterus. 

It is the organ in which little babies begin their 
existence. In this organ they live and grow until they 
are old enough and strong enough to live without its 
protection. They are then born into the world. 

SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE WOMB 

It would seem that the womb must be a very large 
organ in order to accommodate a baby weighing eight or 
nine pounds, as many of them do at the time of their 
birth. And some babies, of course, are still larger. 
But it is not necessary for the womb to always be large 
enough to accommodate a large baby, because the greater 
part of the time it does not contain a baby. And a part 
of the time when it does contain one, the baby is very 
small and it has plenty of room in a womb that is not 
very large. Consequently, while the womb is a very 



FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 51 

large organ at the time of a baby's birth, it is not always 
large. On the contrary, the wombs of girls, and those of 
women who have never become pregnant, are quite 
small if they are in a state of health. 

The healthful, normal womb that has never been 
impregnated, really weighs no more than the largest 
letter carried for a two cent stamp. But it enlarges 
during pregnancy as the baby within it needs a larger 
home, and at the time of the baby's birth, the womb is 
many times heavier and larger than it was at the time 
of impregnation. 

WHAT THE WOMB LOOKS LIKE — ITS SHAPE AND 
DIMENSIONS FURTHER DESCRIBED 

The shape of the womb closely resembles that of a 
pear, except that the womb is somewhat flattened on 
two opposite sides. If you should take a soft pear, pull 
out the stem, and slightly flatten two opposite sides of 
the pear by pressing it between the open hands, or be- 
tween two books, you would then have an object almost 
the exact shape of the human womb. The larger end 
of the womb, the part that resembles the blossom end 
of a pear, is called its fundus or base. And about an 
inch of the womb's smaller end is called its neck. This 
is the part that resembles the stem end of a pear. 

The womb is about three inches in length, two inches 
in breadth, at its widest part, and about an inch thick. 



52 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

It weighs from an ounce to an ounce and a half. Its 
size and weight of course vary somewhat in different 
persons. Those given apply to the average unimpreg- 
nated womb. During pregnancy it gradually becomes 

A 




Fig. 1 
THE WOMB BEFORE IMPREGNATION 

Front View — Front part of the vagina is cut away 
showing mouth of the womb. 

1, body of the womb ; 2, 2, angles; 3, cervix or neck ; 4, 
location of internal mouth ; 5, vaginal part of neck ; 6, exter- 
nal mouth; 7, 7, vagina. 



larger and larger, and heavier and heavier, until it weighs 
about two pounds, independent of its contents. After 
the baby is born, the womb gradually becomes smaller 
and smaller, and in the course of several weeks it is 



FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 53 

almost as small and but little heavier than before preg- 
nancy. It seldom entirely returns to its original pro- 
portions, however, but usually remains about half an 
ounce heavier than before pregnancy. 




Fig. 2 

B— LEFT HALF OF WOMB 

as seen from the right side, the organ having been cut in two 
from before, backward; 1,1, profile of the front surface; 
3, 3, profile of posterior surface ; 4, body ; 5, neck ; 7, inside 
of body ; 8, inside of neck ; 9, internal mouth ; 10, external 
mouth; 12, 12, vagina 

C— POSTERIOR HALF OF WOMB 

viewed from the front, the organ having been cut in two from 
side to side ; 4, 4, openings into the fallopian tubes ; 5, internal 
mouth; 6, 7, inside of neck ; 8, external mouth ; 9, 9, vagina. 



54 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

THE OS OR MOUTH OF THE WOMB 

The womb of course is hollow. And there is an 
opening into its smaller end which communicates with 
the hollow on the inside. This opening is called the os 
or mouth of the womb. 

When the stem is pulled out of a soft pear, the 
opening that is left, corresponds in location, with the 
location of the os in the womb. And if the core could 
also be removed from the pear, the resemblance of the 
pear to the womb would then be still more nearly com- 
plete. The os is the opening through which little babies 
pass out of the womb at the time of their birth. At 
that time it must necessarily be a very large opening. 
But it is not always large. In the normal, unimpreg- 
nated state of the womb, the os is not large enough to 
admit an ordinary slate pencil. But it gradually 
enlarges during pregnancy, and the parts surrounding it 
become softer and softer, thus preparing it for suffi- 
cient dilation at the time of the baby's birth. 

THE WOMB'S LOCATION IN THE BODY 

The womb is located nearly in the center of the 
lower part of the trunk. Just beneath the abdomen, 
at the center line of the front part of the trunk, there 
is a prominent arch of bones. It is called the pubic 



FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 55 

arch. The womb is located directly back of this bony 
prominence, and about half way to the spine. 

The base of the womb is upward and the smaller end 
points downward. The flattened surfaces are before 
and backward. And the widest part of the womb is 

t 




Fig. 3 

LOCATION OF WOMB 

Lower part of trunk — the pelvis — is lying upon the back, 
showing the womb and its relation to other organs in the 
pelvis. The figure represents the body as cut in two just 
above the hips, the upper part being removed. Jlf, pubic 
arch ; B, bladder ; U, base of uterus or womb ; T, T, fallo- 
pian tubes , J?> F, fimbriated extremities of fallopian tubes ; 
O t O, ovaries ; i?, rectum ; V, vertebra — a part of the back 
bone. 



from side to side. The bladder is located immediately 
in front of the womb and the lower part of the bowel 
is back of it. 



56 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 




cut 



Fig. 4 



RIGHT HALF OF FEMALE PELVIS 
And its contents, as seen from left side 

The body is represented as having been cut in two from 
above, downward showing location of the uterus or womb, 
the vagina, bladder and rectum or lower part of bowel. 

The bladder is in front of the womb and vagina, and the 
rectum is back of these two organs. 



FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 57 

THE VAGINA 

The vagina is a hollow tube that connects the womb 
with the outside of the body. It is about four to six 
inches in length. Its walls are of a delicate, silk-like 
material that somewhat resembles a soft rubber tube. 
On the inside of the vagina, there are numerous circular 
ridges or folds parallel to each other. The cuts that 
are most frequently presented to illustrate this organ, 
represent it as a distended tube. But that is not its 
usual condition. On the contrary, it is usually collapsed, 
and its walls lie in contact with each other. But they 
may be readily distended, and the vagina will then cor- 
respond with the cuts most frequently employed to 
illustrate it. (Figs. 4 and 7.) 

The vaginia is the canal through which little 
babies pass as they leave the womb and appear in 
the outer world at the time of their birth. The exter- 
nal opening of the vagina is immediately beneath the 
pubic arch. This end of the vagina connects directly 
with the body. But the internal end does not connect 
with the end of the womb. Instead of this, the small 
•end of the womb passes into the vagina, and the vagina 
connects with the outside of the womb, about half an 
inch above the womb's smaller end. 

If you could take a soft, flattened, hollow pear, with 
the stem pulled out, and pass the smaller end of the 



58 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 










^ cu 

S-S 

as 



0) 
Jh CU 

O o3 



If 

CU rt 



.2 S 

S ^5 

ir a: en 

£ B3-»H 

-*-• +3 t-i 
q_ tn^ 

g 58 2S 
S^ * o 



CJ cu 
a3 C 
<L) 03 



0,0 




"*" O £ 3 

o^ o^<i: o a 

_, u en cu . -in 

4-» a cu '-' >^ ►- 

CD ^ 



pq~ % b I « > 

§ * > 5 ^i 

9. . cu ^ cu «3 



a 



cu 



.£ cd « >^ cu rt 

|of2 ^3 



FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 59 

pear about half an inch into a soft rubber tube, and 
then imagine the end of the tube to be grown fast to 
the pear, you would then have in your mind a most 
excellent picture of the womb and vagina and their 
connection with each other. 

OVARIES 

The ovaries are two in number, located one on each 
side of the broadest part of the womb. (Figs. 3, 5, 7.) 

■ The ovaries are very important organs. It is they 
that develop the little eggs that the woman furnishes 
to unite with the male element and thus begin the 
development of a baby. The little eggs are developed 
from the blood that flows into the ovaries. The exact 
process by which the ovaries accomplish this work, is 
not clearly understood. 

The ovaries are about the size and shape of very 
large almonds. Each ovary measures about one and a 
half inches in length, three fourths of an inch in width 
and one third of an inch in thickness. Their location 
is just inside of the hips. One is on the right side and 
the other on the left. Each is about half way from the 
hip to the center of the womb. If a line beginning at 
the most prominent point at the top of one of the hip 
bones, is extended downward and inward to the center 
of the pubic arch, this line will pass over one of the 



60 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 




FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 61 

ovaries. The ovary will lie directly beneath the center 
of this line. (Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7.) 

HOW THE OVA GET INTO THE WOMB 

There is no canal leading directly from the ovary to 
the womb. The little eggs (usually called ova; singular, 
ovum) must reach the womb in another way. The man- 
ner in which this is accomplished is quite interesting. 
Each ovum is developed near the surface of the ovary 
and it is retained in its position by a very thin, delicate 
membrane. At the proper time, this membrane is rup- 
tured and the ovum is thus liberated and left free upon 
the surface of the ovary. 

FALLOPIAN TUBES 

Just above each ovary there is a hollow tube extend- 
ing from the womb outward. These are called the f al- 
1 opian tubes. The external end of each terminates in 
what anatomists call a fimbriated or finger-like extrem- 
ity. And when an egg is being liberated, this fimbriated 
extremity of the fallopian tube, grasps the ovary as you 
might grasp an apple or an orange between your two 
hands, and the ovum passes into the tube. On the in- 
side of the tube there are little hair-like projections 
that are supposed to be in constant motion during the 
passage of an ovum, and to push the ovum along towards 
the womb. (See Figs. 5, 6 and 7.) 



62 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

THE HYMEN 

The hymen is a curtain-like membrane that is 
stretched across the vagina just within the external 
opening. The hymen is most frequently semi-lunar in 
shape, with its opening at the upper side. But it is 
sometimes circular with an opening at the center. And 
sometimes it has still a different shape. Occasionally 
there is no opening at all. In such cases an operation 
is usually necessary before menstruation can take place. 

THE HYMEN AS AN EVIDENCE OF CHASTITY 

Sometimes the hymen is very dense and firm and 
strong, and sometimes it is very delicate and easily 
ruptured. Sometimes there seems to have never been 
any hymen at all. This organ is usually torn away at 
the first copulation, if it still exists at that time, but it 
is not always ruptured even then. At one time the 
hymen was supposed to be an evidence of virginity. 
But it is now known that its presence is no positive 
evidence of chastity, nor its absence of the contrary. 
This fact is perfectly evident from what has already 
been stated. 

ORGANS BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL 

The organs already described are the internal organs. 
They are all within the body concealed from view. 



FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 63 

Those that we shall now describe are the external 
organs. They are all on the outside of the body. 

EXTERNAL ORGANS — THE VULVA 

Collectively, the external female sexual organs are 
called the vulva. They include the labia major a or 
larger lips, the labia minora or smaller lips, the clitoris, 
the mons Veneris and the orifice of the vagina; and 
some authorities also include the orifice of the urethra. 
The urethra of the female has nothing to do with repro- 
duction, however. It is the canal that conveys the 
urine away from the bladder. Its external orifice is 
between the labia and just above the orifice of the 
vagina. 

There is another organ that we have included as a 
part of the vulva, that is not intimately connected 
with reproduction. It is the mons Veneris. Some 
authorities do not consider either the urethra or the 
mons Veneris as parts of the vulva. (Fig. 3.) 

THE MONS VENERIS 

The mons Veneris is the mount-like cushion of flesh 
that surmounts the pubic arch. It becomes covered 
with hair at the time of puberty. This mount is made 
up largely of an accumulation of fat beneath the skin. 



64 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 







FEMALE .REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 65 

THE EXTERNAL LIPS 

The external lips or labia majora, are the two per- 
pendicular folds that lie beneath the mons Veneris. 
And like the mons Veneris, the labia majora are also 
cushioned out by an accumulation of fat beneath the skin. 
They also become covered by a growth of hair at the 
time of puberty. The labia form an elliptical fissure that 
contains the clitoris and the external openings of the 
urethra and the vagina. The labia are a protection to 
these delicate organs that they surround and cover. 

THE INTERNAL LIPS 

The internal lips, or labia minora or nymphae, are the 
two perpendicular folds of mucus membrane that lie 
within the external lips. They are disproportionately 
large in babies and very little girls. At that period of 
life the internal lips extend outside of and beyond the 
external lips. But when little girls are from two to four 
or five years of age, the external lips become proportion- 
ately larger, and after that time they entirely conceal 
the internal lips. (Figs. 4 and 7.) 

THE CLITORIS 

This organ is surrounded and partly covered by the 
labia minora. It is located at the point where the labia 
minora unite at their upper extremities. The clitoris is 



66 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

the most sensitive of all these organs. It is sometimes 
called the female penis and it closely resembles the male 
organ in some respects. It is of course many times 
smaller than the male organ and there is no urethra 
extending through it. (The female urethra lies below 
the clitoris.) Like the male organ, the clitoris is pro- 
vided with erectile tissues and with a glans at its ex- 
ternal extremity. 

The diameter of the clitoris is less than that of an 
ordinary slate pencil. It is usually not more than an 
inch long, and it is entirely concealed beneath the other 
tissues, except its external end or glans, and this appears 
only as a small rounded tubercle. Occasionally the 
dimensions of the clitoris are much greater than those 
we have just given. But the organ is then considered 
abnormal. (Figs. 4 and 7.) 

The orifice of the urethra is about an inch below 
tne glans of the clitoris. The orifice of the vagina is 
just below that of the urethra. 



CHAPTER VI 

MALE ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION 

Having described the most important organs by 
which the female performs her part in the work of 
reproduction, we will now explain the organs that enable 
the male to perform his. 

WHAT THE MALE CONTRIBUTES IN REPRODUCTION 

As we have before stated, the female must contrib- 
ute one element in reproduction and the male must 
contribute another. We have also seen that what the 
woman furnishes, is a very little egg;. But this egg is 
unfruitful and can avail nothing towards the commence- 
ment of a new life, until after the male element has 
united with it. 

What the man supplies is called semen or seed. 
The semen is manufactured by the testicles. 

THE TESTICLES 

are two oval, flattened bodies, suspended side by side, in 
the scrotum, between the upper parts of the thighs. 
Their size greatly varies in different individuals, but the 



68 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

following dimensions are considered about an average: 
Length of each, one and a half to two inches ; breadth, 
one and a quarter inches; thickness, one inch. The 
longest diameter is from above downward, the shortest 
from side to side, and the intermediate, from before 
backward. 

A TEST OF VIRILITY 

The testicles are also called testes. (Singular, tes- 
tis.) This word is derived from one meaning to testify, 
test or witness. When the ancient Greek alchemists 
desired to test the purity of a precious metal, or to 
separate it from baser metals commingled therewith, 
or from dross, they melted the combination in a cruci- 
ble or testa. In this way they tested the purity and 
value of the precious metals. (Gold and silver.) And 
the testes were given their name because they are the 
test or witness of a man's virility or generative power. 

It matters not how nearly perfect a man may be in 
every other respect, if the testicles do not generate 
fruitful seed, he cannot procreate. In ancient times it 
was quite common to remove the testicles of servants 
and slaves, thus depriving these persons of the ability 
to become fathers. And when the testicles had not 
been removed, they were referred to as the test or wit- 
ness of manhood or procreative power. 



MALE ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION 69 

GLANDS 

The testicles are glands. A gland is an organ that 
manufactures something from the blood that flows 
through it. The largest gland in the body, is the liver. 
It manufactures bile or gall from the blood that enters 
it. The bile is retained in the gall bladder and the blood 
flows out to other parts of the body. From the blood 
that flows through them, the salivary glands manufac- 
ture saliva, and the pancreas secretes or manufactures 
pancreatic fluid. The testicles secrete or manufacture 
the seed of man. 

A TEST OF AN ORGAN'S IMPORTANCE 

Physiologists often estimate the importance of an 
organ and the amount of work that it performs, by 
estimating the quantity of blood that flows through it. 
This is done by noting the size and number of blood 
vessels that pass into the organ. The blood vessels that 
enter and pass through the testicles, are both large and 
numerous, thus showing that a large quantity of blood 
flows into these glands. From this blood the testicles 
manufacture semen. Just exactly how they do this 
work will be difficult to explain. In fact some of the 
details of the process are not fully understood. But 
there are some things that we can tell you. 



70 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

SEMINAL CELLS AND TUBES 

The testicles have a general pink color. But when 
they are cut in two, numerous little white lines 




Fig. 

HALF OF TESTICLE 
With its ducts and blood vessels. Testicle is cut in two from 
above, downward, showing its appearance upon the inside. 

The lobuli contain coils of little tubes. The inside of 
these little tubes is lined with cells that manufacture semen 
from the blood that flows into the testicle. TheVas Deferens 
conveys the semen to the Vesiculse Seminales. 

that are more or less indistinct, may be seen inter- 
mingled with the general pink color of the rest of the 
gland. These little white lines are little tubes that are 



MALE ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION 71 

coiled up in the testicle. They are called the seminal 
tubes. By careful dissections under water, the seminal 
tubes have been separated from the rest of the gland 
and from each other. There are several hundreds of 
them and each tube is estimated to be from two and a 
quarter to sixteen feet in length, thus making their 
total length from about two thousand to four or five 
thousand feet. But they are so very small in diameter, 
that a hundred and fifty of them lain side by side, would 
not cover a space more than an inch wide. On the inside 
of these tubes there are several layers of cells. They 
are called seminal cells. Altogether there are millions 
of them. 

Many of the numerous blood vessels of the testicles 
lie in contact with the seminal tubes. And in some way 
not fully understood, the necessary ingredients pass 
from the blood to the seminal cells, and these cells man- 
ufacture the semen therefrom. The semen is then 
contained in the seminal tubes. These little tubes unite 
with each other and thus form larger tubes, like brooks 
and creeks unite to form small rivers. These larger 
tubes pass out from the testicle and they too unite with 
each other and thus form still larger tubes on the out- 
side of the testicle. These tubes also unite with each 
other and form a single tube of much larger dimensions 
than any of the branches that form it. 

From the smallest branches of the seminal tubes, 



72 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

where the semen is formed, it passes into larger tubes 
and from thence to those still larger, and thus continu- 
ing it reaches the single largest tube before mentioned. 
This duct conveys the semen to one of the seminal 
vessels. 

THE SCROTUM 

is a sack or bag that contains the testicles and supports 
these delicate organs in their proper positions, protect- 
ing them from being chafed by the clothing and thighs 
or otherwise injured. 

THE SEMINAL VESSELS 

or Vessiculse seminales, are two pouches located on the 
base of the bladder. These are reservoirs in which the 
semen is stored as it flows from the testicles. One is 
located on the right side of the base of the bladder and 
the other on the left. The seminal vesicles are each 
about two and a half inches in length, nearly half an 
inch in breadth and about a fourth of an inch in thick- 
ness. 

The semen is probably being formed continually by 
the cells within the seminal tubes, and it gradually flows 
from the small tubes into the larger, and eventually 
reaches the seminal vessels, in much the same way that 
water gathers from springs and forms brooks and creeks, 
and then small rivers, and still continues onward and 



MALE ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION 73 

forms a single large river that flows on for considerable 
distance and then enters a large lake. 

The seminal vessel on the right side of the bladder, 
receives the semen from the right testicle, and the one 
on the left side, receives that from the left testicle. 
A supply of semen ever ready for use is thus maintained 
within the seminal vessels. Whenever this supply is 
reduced, it is very quickly replenished. The male is 
therefore almost always prepared to contribute his part 
in the work of reproduction. If the semen is not util- 
ized in reproduction, and is not lost by a weakness, 
disease or misuse of the sexual organs, the surplus is 
probably absorbed. It is then commingled with the 
blood and is thus carried to all parts of the body, to be 
used by the brain and the various bodily organs. At 
all events, this is a theory that is advocated by many 
excellent authorities. If it is not correct, the testicles 
must cease to secrete semen when the seminal reservoirs 
are filled. 

A duct leads from each seminal vessel to the penis. 
These ducts are called the ejaculatory ducts. They 
convey the semen from the seminal vessels to the penis. 
The penis is the organ that conveys the semen from 
the ejaculatory ducts to the female reproductive system. 
There the semen is deposited so that the requisite 
element thereof can unite with the ovum of the female 



74 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

and thus begin the formation of another human body. 
There are two or three other organs included in the 
male reproductive system, but they are not of sufficient 
interest in this connection to merit a description. 



CHAPTER VII 

HOW PLANT REPRODUCTION BEGINS IN 
BLOSSOMS 

We will now briefly describe the process by which 
reproduction is accomplished and a new being developed. 
But as there are certain general principles common to 
reproduction in all grades of vegetable and animal life, 
before describing human reproduction, we will first 
explain some of these general principles and their 
demonstrations in the vegetable kingdom. By this plan 
a full and accurate understanding of human reproduction 
can be acquired more easily. 

MALE AND FEMALE PLANTS 

An examination of plants reveals the fact that they 
too are sexed. Some are males and others are females. 
And each is provided with appropriate organs for 
executing the work of reproduction. 

SEXUAL ORGANS OF PLANTS 

Plants develop from seeds. And the seeds are 
developed from flowers or blossoms. The flowers or 



76 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

blossoms are, therefore, the sexual organs of the plants 
that produce them. It is in the flowers or blossoms 
that the work of reproduction begins. 

STAMENS AND PISTILS 

At the center of a flower, surrounded by its petals 
or leaves, there are a number of little pin-like stems. 
These little stems differ in the two sexes. Those in the 
male flowers are called stamens. Those in the female 
flowers are called pistils. The stamens, then, are the 
male parts of plants and the pistils are the female parts. 
Both stamens and at least one pistil, are usually found 
in the same flower. The plants that produce these flow- 
ers, are therefore like some animals, both male and 
female. The stamens and pistils, then, are the organs 
by which plants execute the function of reproduction. 
They are the real sexual organs of the plants, and the 
other parts of the flowers are simply accessories to the 
stamens and pistils. 

POLLEN 

In flowers, just the same as human beings, something 
that is developed in the male sexual organs, must be 
deposited in the female sexual organs, in order to begin 
the work of reproduction. In plants, what is developed 
by the male sexual organs is a yellow dust. It is called 
pollen. 



REPRODUCTION IN BLOSSOMS 77 

The yellow dust that sometimes adheres to the nose 
when smelling a flower, is the pollen. In the spring, 
pollen may sometimes be seen in small clouds as it is 
blown from the blossoms of certain kinds of trees. 
During the latter part of August and throughout 
the entire month of September, and during October 
until frost has killed vegetation, the pollen from rag- 
weeds and other weeds and wild flowers, on dry breezy 
days, can often be seen rising in the form of small clouds 
of yellow dust which are wafted over the fields by the 
breeze.* 

FERTILIZATION OF FLOWERS 

This pollen is developed by the stamens of flowers, 
and it must be deposited in the pistils or the flowers can 
not develop fruitful seeds. Depositing pollen in the 
female flowers is called fertilizing them. And when the 
pollen has been deposited in the pistils, the flowers are 
said to be fertilized. 

STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS 

We will now make a brief investigation of the 
structure of flowers, more especially of the stamens, 

*This pollen is breathed into the nostrils of the people 
who are in the vicinity where it is floating in the air, and 
certain kinds of pollen cause an irritation of the mucus mem- 
brane in the nostrils of those in whom the mucus membrane 
is sensitive. This is hay fever. The pollen from a vase of wild 
flowers is sufficient to cause hay fever in some persons. 
Even smelling a bunch of certain kinds of flowers will cause 
this disease in persons who are especially sensitive. 



78 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

pistils and seed pods, and we will then look into some 
of the methods by which fertilization is accomplished. 

NAMES OF THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF A FLOWER 

And in order to avoid any misunderstanding of the 
various parts of a flower, we will first name these parts, 
using the common red rose as an example. The base 
of the rose is a cup of green leaves called the calyx. 
The leaves composing this cup are called the sepals. 
Before the rose has opened, while it is still only a bud, 
the calyx is the green covering of the bud and is the 
only part visible. The rose itself, the red part, is called 
the corolla, and the separate red leaves that compose 
the corolla, are called petals. The thread-like yellow 
stems at the very center of the rose, are the stamens 
and pistils. 

As the stamens and pistils can be studied more easily 
in a flower in which they are larger, we will now leave 
the rose and investigate the morning glory and the 
blossoms of the cherry tree. 

ANALYSIS OF THE MORNING GLORY 

The corolla of the morning glory is a single bell- 
shaped leat, instead of several leaves or petals like the 
rose. If this leaf is torn apart, growing on its inner bor- 
der at the base, five stamens may be seen. While in the 



REPRODUCTION IN BLOSSOMS 



79 



very center is a single pistil. The pistil including seed- 
pod or ovary, will remain attached to the stem after the 
entire corolla is torn away. In different flowers, the 
number, size and arrangement of the stamens and pistils, 
greatly vary. But in all perfect flowers they exist in 
some form. 




Fig. 9 



CHERRY BLOSSOM 

One side is cut away showing the blossom's internal 
structure. In the center is located its single pistil, showing 
stigma, stile and ovary. The ovary is an embryo cherry 
and seed. 

The stamens are attached to the corolla. They form a 
circle around the pistil. 



STAMENS ANALYZED — THE ANTHER 

The stamen consists of two parts — the main stem 
or filament, and the anther. The anther is a kind of 
head on the external end of the filament. It is the 
anther that produces the polen. 



80 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

PISTILS ANALYZED — THE OVARY AND STIGMA 

The pistil consists of three parts — the ovary, the 
style, and the stigma. The style is the main stem of 




STAMENS AND PISTIL 

1 — Stamen : a, anther ; p, pollen being discharged from 
anther ; y, fillament. 

2 — Anther of a different kind and shape from the one 
above. 

3 — Pistil: g, stigma; s, stile; o> ovary or seed-pod; 
r, stem supporting ovary. 

the pistil. It corresponds with the filament of the 
stamen. The ovary is at the very base of the pistil. 
It is the part that contains the seed. After the petals 



REPRODUCTION IX BLOSSOMS 



81 



of a rose have fallen off, the part that remains and 
contains the seed, is the ovary or seed-pod. Eventually 
the ovaries change from green to red as the seeds 
within them ripen. They then look like red berries and 
usually remain on the bush until the seeds within them 
are fully ripened and matured, and posses all the qualities 
necessary to enable them to grow into other rose bushes. 
The stigma is the tip of the pistil. It is often in 
the form of a little cup and is usually moist. 

A DIAGRAM 

The following diagram will assist you to form a 
distinct mental picture of these different parts of a 
flower and also to remember their names: 



PARTS 
COMPOSING 
A FLOWER 



Calyx j Sepals 
Corolla \ Petals 



Stamens 
(male) 



Pistils 
(female") 



Pollen 

Anther 

i Filament 

Stigma 
Style 
, Ovary 



82 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

POLLEN MAGNIFIED 

When the pollen is highly magnified it is found to 
consist of separate and distinct grains. 




Fig. 11 



POLLEN MAGNIFIED 



Showing this yellow dust to consist of separate and 
distinct grains. 



When the stigma and style are closely examined, 
their central parts are found to consist of very loose 
tissue. So loose in fact, that the stigma and style are 
almost a hollow tube. 

The part that is almost hollow, extends to the ovary 
and also communicates with the inside of this organ. 

PROCESS OF FERTILIZATION 

As flowers are being fertilized, the little grains of 
pollen are deposited in the moist stigmas, and the pollen 
grains send rootlets down through the loose tissues of 



REPRODUCTION IN BLOSSOMS 83 

the stigmas and styles, and these rootlets unite with the 
elementary seeds in the ovaries. Very small drops of 
fluid pass from the pollen rootlets and enter the 
elementary seeds. This fertilizes the ovules and 
enables them to develop into complete seeds. If a 




"iZ) 



Eig. 12 



FERTILIZATION 

Diagram illustrating a highly magnified pistil and grain 
of pollen during the process of fertilization. Que side of 
pistil is cut away. 

2, ovary containing the female part of an embryo seed ; 
1, grain of pollen in the stigma sending rootlet down through 
the style to unite with the female part of elementary seed. 
A minute drop of fluid passes from this rootlet to the ovule. 
This is fertilization. Fertilization in the vegetable kingdom 
corresponds with conception in the animal kingdom. 



84 PLAIX TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

flower is divided into two halves by cutting it from 
above downward, all of its different parts may be seen 
at the same time. The flower thus shown in Fig. 9 
is the blossom of the cherry tree. The embryo seed may 
be seen at the base of the flower, imbedded in the ovary. 
The seeds could never mature and grow unless they 
were rendered complete by the pollen rootlets uniting 
with them. If the pollen does not unite with them, the 
elementary seeds will eventually shrivel and die. Until 
after they are fertilized, they are soft and watery, and 
appear to consist of but little besides an outside skin- 
like covering that is filled with water. If they are 
properly fertilized, they are then enabled to develop 
into complete and mature seeds that will grow into other 
plants. 

A FEATURE COMMON TO ALL FLOWERS 

The sizes, shapes, arrangements and proportions of 
the various parts of flowers, present an endless variety. 
But with all of this variety there is still one thing in 
common with them all. They are all in some way 
qualified to aid in accomplishing reproduction, and all 
flowers have either a stamen or a pistil, at least. 

PERFECT FLOWERS AND THOSE INCOMPLETE 

In perfect flowers, as before stated, the stamens and 
pistils are both in the same blossom. But some flowers 



REPRODUCTION IN BLOSSOMS 85 

have stamens but no pistil. Still others have one or 
more pistils and no stamen. The former are the real 
male flowers and the latter the real female flowers. 
Certain kinds of plants produce on the same stalk, some 
flowers that are males and others that are females. 
Sometimes the male flowers are on one plant and the 
female flowers on another plant. 

DIFFFRENT METHODS BY WHICH FLOWERS ARE 
FERTILIZED 

Sometimes the stamens and pistils are arranged so 
that the pollen naturally falls into the pistils. Some- 
times it is blown from one flower to another by the 
wind. But a very large number of flowers are fertil- 
ized by insects carrying the pollen from one blossom to 
another. Bees do the most of this work, but moths, 
flies and other insects assist. Flowers that are fertil- 
ized by insects, contain honey. Or rather, nectar, that 
may be converted into honey by the insects. And in 
seeking for the nectar, the insects brush the pollen from 
the anther and deposit it in the pistil. For example, a 
bee goes into a blossom searching for honey. The bee 
comes in contact with the anthers of the flower and 
it brushes off part of the pollen. Some of the pollen 
adheres to the bee's head, body, wings and other parts, 
and a portion of it may be deposited by the bee, on the 
stigma of the same flower. Soon the bee flies away and 



86 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

enters another flower and part of the pollen that is car- 
ried from the flower previously visited, is now rubbed 
off from the bee and left in this second flower. This 
pollen adheres to the moist stigmas. 

MALE AND FEMALE STRAWBERRIES 

A certain well-known variety of strawberries pro- 
duces only female blossoms; or, at best, but very few 
male blossoms. If this variety is planted near a variety 
that produces an abundance of male blossoms, it is then 
an exceedingly prolific variety. If it is not thus asso- 
ciated with the male blossoms, it produces but very little 
fruit. The usual plan with gardeners who raise such a 
variety, is to plant a few rows of these that produce 
only the one kind of blossoms, and then plant a few 
rows of a variety that produces blossoms of the opposite 
sex. Next to these a few rows of the first variety are 
planted and then a few more of the second. The two 
varieties are alternated in this way all over the field, 
and an excellent crop is the result. 

USE OF THE HONEY, ODOR AND BRIGHT COLOR OF 
FLOWERS 

Honey, odor and the corolla of flowers are all acces- 
sories to the stamens and pistils, which are essentials. 
Insects visit the flowers for the honey, and in extract- 
ing the honey, they assist in fertilizing the flowers. 



REPRODUCTION IN BLOSSOMS 87 

Bees and flowers are, therefore, of mutual benefit to 
each other. The odor and the bright colored corollas 
assist the bees to find the flowers. Blossoms that do 
not need the assistance of insects, are usually small, and 
have neither color, scent nor honey. Most forest trees 
have blossoms of this kind, and they are fertilized by the 
pollen falling or blowing from the anthers to the pistils. 

PLAN OF FERTILIZATION IN COMMON FIELD CORN 

In our common corn that may be seen almost any- 
where in the country, the pollen is produced by the 
tassel which grows at the extreme top of the stock. 
The end of the ear is provided with a large bunch of 
thread-like pistils called the silk. As the pollen grows 
on the top of the stock and the ear is only about half 
way from the ground to the top, the pollen naturally falls 
upon the silk and the ear is thus fertilized. Every 
breeze facilitates the falling of the pollen upon the silk. 
If the pollen does not reach the silk there are no grains 
of corn upon the cob. 

HOW DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF CORN ARE MIXED 
IN FERTILIZATION 

If several varieties of corn are planted near together, 
and they all mature about the same time, these 
different varieties will mix. The pollen from one stock 



88 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

may reach the silk of several other varieties, and all of 
these different varieties will then partake of the qualities 
of the one that produced the pollen. If grains of pop- 
corn from an ear that is red, and other grains from an 
ear that is white, are all planted near a field of yellow 
corn, there will be some large ears of pop-corn and 
some small ears of yellow corn. Some of the ears of 
field corn will be red and others white. And some of 
the ears of pop-corn will be large and yellow. 

NECESSITY OF THE HUMBLE BEES IN FERTILIZING 
CLOVER 

Some varieties of clover cannot be fertilized by 
honey bees but require humble bees (bumble bees.) 
The honey bee cannot reach far enough down into the 
blossoms to carry the pollen to the pistils. The larger 
bee is required. Certain other flowers also require the 
humble bee because the honey bee is not heavy enough 
and strong enough to push the blossom apart and get 
into it. 

FERTILIZATION OF NIGHT BLOOMING FLOWERS 

Some flowers that bloom at night when bees are 
asleep, are fertilized by insects that fly and gather 
their food at night. The construction of these flowers 
is favorable for fertilization by such insects. 



CHAPTER VIII 

SEEDS AND EGGS AND THEIR FUNCTION 
IN REPRODUCTION 

WHAT A SEED REALLY IS 

A seed is a small plant imbedded in enough plant 
food to sustain the plant when it commences to grow 
and until its roots are large enough to draw sufficient 
nourishment from the soil. 

THE GERM 

If you will examine a seed, you will find one part 
that is different from the rest. This part is the little 
plant within the seed. It is called the germ. It can 
he seen in a large seed more easily than in a small one. 
And it can be seen still more plainly if the seed has 
lain in water two or three days. The germ has then 
commenced to grow and is consequently enlarged. 

HOW TO EXAMINE A GERM 

A lima bean being a large seed and having a large 
germ, the different parts can be seen very easily. If 
the outside smooth skin of a lima bean is removed, the 



90 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 




Fig. 13 



GRAINS OF CORN GERMINATING 



In about four days after a grain of corn is planted, if the 
weather is warm and all other conditions are fovorable, it 
will look like the one shown in the upper right hand corner 
of the figure. The little shoot extending upward from the 
grain, is the beginning of the future corn stalk. The pro- 
longation downward is the first root with its minute branches. 

In about a week after a grain of corn is planted, the 
grain, stalk, leaves and roots will look like those shown in 
the left side of cut. 



SEEDS AND EGGS 91 

bean will then be seen to consist of two halves. These 
halves can be easily separated and the germ can then 
be seen on the inside of one of the halves. Ifc consists 
of two little leaves and a very small bean vine. If you 
will now soak other beans in water for two or three days, 
the beans will enlarge, the germs will begin to grow and 
their different parts can be seen more plainly. 

HOW THE GERM DEVELOPS INTO A PLANT 

When a seed first begins to grow, the germ draws 
its nourishment from the rest of the seed. The germ is 
the vital part of the seed, and the rest of the seed is food 
for the nourishment of the germ after it begins to 
grow. When a seed is placed in soil and is supplied 
with heat and moisture, it soon sprouts like the beans 
soaked in water. As the leaves and the top part of 
the germ begin to grow upward, the roots begin to grow 
downward and to send out numerous little branches. 
These branches or rootlets draw from fertile soil the 
necessary nourishment for the plant; and the rest of the 
seed, in addition to the germ, is of no further use. It 
has usually served its purpose and has become exhausted 
by the time the roots of the plant are large enough to 
nourish the plant independent of the nourishment stored 
up in the seed. 

If several seeds — beans and corn are among the 
best — are planted, the development of the germs may 



92 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

be readily observed at any time by digging up and ex- 
amining one or two of the seeds. The seeds should be 
planted about one inch deep, in almost any fertile soil, out 
of doors during warm weather, but in cold weather they 
should be planted in a flower pot, tin can or box of soil 
in a warm, sunny room. In about four days during warm 
weather, a germ of corn will acquire the development 
represented in the upper right-hand corner of Figure 13. 
In about a week the germ will look like the one shown 
in the left-hand side of the figure. 

A BRIEF REVIEW 

Let us now take a brief review of some of the more 
important features of reproduction in plants. 

We have seen in the previous chapter that the female 
part of blossoms — the pistils — develop embryo seeds. 
But these seeds lack vitality and have no power to grow 
into other plants nor even to continue to develop them- 
selves, until after they are vitalized by the pollen from a 
male flower. After the union of the two elements, an 
ovule continues to develop and eventually becomes a ma- 
tured seed, consisting of a diminutive plant imbedded in 
enough nourishment to feed this germ when it com- 
mences to grow, and before it has rootlets that can draw 
sufficient nourishment from the soil. This, then, is the 
usual plan of plant reproduction. 

An acorn is a diminutive oak tree imbedded in a 



SEEDS AND EGGS 93 

quantity of nourishment, with a thin hard shell that 
surrounds and protects both. A grain of corn is a 
diminutive corn stalk imbedded in enough nourishment to 
sustain it for the first few days of its growth. A chest- 
nut is an embryo chestnut tree and a quantity of nourish- 
ment within a shell. Each seed, then, is a very small 
plant with a small quantity of nourishment, all protected 
within a shell, skin or some other kind of covering. 
And the development and scattering of seeds, is Nature's 
plan for reproducing piants. The seeds drop to the 
earth and become covered with leaves or soil and then 
the heat of the sun and the warm rains cause them to 
sprout and grow into other plants.* 

SOME OF NATURE'S PLANS FOR SOWING HER SEEDS 

Nature's plans for scattering seeds are many of them 
very novel and interesting, and they deserve a brief 
notice Many seeds are scattered by the winds. Those 
seeds that grow on high trees will scatter more or less 
in falling when there is no wind. But during a storm 
they scatter still further away from the parent trees. 
Maple seeds and sycamore, pine, ash and many other 
kinds are provided with a sort of wing or wings, that 

*The nourishment that is stored up in a seed for the use 
of the germ, is in many varieties also an excellent food for 
human beings and other animals. As it will nourish the 
germ it will also nourish animals. Wheat, oats, corn, rice 
and nuts are familiar examples. 



94 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

enable them to almost float in the air and to thus scatter 
to a long distance from the trees that produce them. 
The seeds of cotton-wood trees and of thistles, dandelions, 
etc., are not very heavy and they are attached to a 
kind of down that causes them to almost float in the 
air and to reach points far distant from where they 
grew. 

Lady's slippers, castor beans, and many other seeds 
are enclosed in a pod that bursts open suddenly and 
separates in such a way after the seeds are mature, 
that the seeds are thrown considerable distance. 

Some seeds are carried to far distant points by run- 
ning streams. Others, like the cocoanut, float on the 
sea and often reach far distant shores. Peach, cherry, 
plum, and many other seeds that are surrounded by an 
edible fruit,are eaten by birds and animals and deposit- 
ed at various distant points. Poke and elder seeds are 
scattered by the birds in this way. Squirrels often 
carry away nuts that are never eaten but are left to 
grow. Seeds that are embedded in burs like burdock or 
sand burs, and those that have sharp needles or hooks, 
often become attached to the hair or wool or skin of 
animals, and they are carried away by the animals and 
eventually dopped. Thus, we see, Nature's plans for 
sowing the seeds of her different plants are numerous 
and varied; but they are all more or less effective and 
her seeds are all scattered in some way. 



SEEDS AND EGGS 95 

Having seen how plants are reproduced, we will now 
investigate some of the plans of animal reproduction. 

WHAT AN EGG REALLY IS 

All the higher animals are developed from eggs. An 
egg is really the seed of a female animal. It may con- 
tain a germ — the male element — and it may not. When 
it does contain this element, it is then analogous to a 
mature seed. If the egg does not contain the male 
element, it is then more like an embryo seed that has 
not been fertilized. 

CLOSENESS OP THE SIMILARITY BETWEEN EGGS 
AND SEEDS 

The similarity, then, between eggs and seeds, is 

really a close one. Both are designed for the same 

purpose, and they are quite similiar in construction. 

The greater part of an egg, like the greater part of a 

seed, is designed merely for the nourishment of the 

germ within. 

THE GERMINAL SPOT 

In a certain part of a fertile egg, as well as in a seed, 
there is one point that is more highly vitalized than the 
other parts. It is called the germinal spot. It is the 
life germ that may develop into a living animal. It is 
the male element of the egg. The rest of the egg is for 
the purpose of nourishing this germ. 



96 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

THE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPOSITING OF EGGS 

The eggs of all animals are developed in the ovaries. 
In some animals only one or two ova are developed at 
one time. In other animals, thousands are developed 
and deposited all together. Birds and our common 
domestic fowls mature and lay but one egg each day. 
Fishes and frogs mature and deposit hundreds or thou- 
sands of eggs at one time. When a laying hen is killed 
and is opened as she is being prepared for a meal, a 
dozen or more eggs can be seen in different stages of 
development. All are attached to the ovary. If the 
hen is killed before she has laid that day, there will 
usually be one mature egg with shell complete. Another 
egg will be large enough to become fully matured by 
the following day. After all the eggs are matured by 
the ovary, the hen is then ready to set. By sitting over 
the eggs with her wings and warm body against them, 
she is enabled to keep the eggs warm enough for the 
germs within them to develop and grow into chicks. 

HOW TO EXAMINE THE GERMINAL SPOT 

If you will roll a sheet of paper or paste-board into 
a tube an inch and a half in diameter, and will then hold 
this tube before one eye and towards the light so that 
you can plainly see through it, a fresh hen's egg that is 
held before the farther end of the tube and slowly re- 



SEEDS AND EGGS 



97 




Fig. 14 

REPRODUCTIVE 
ORGANS OF A HEN 

Showing various stages in 
the development and depos- 
iting of eggs — a, ovary sur- 
rounded by yolks in different 
stages of development; b, 
sack or envelop of membrane 
from which yolk has just 
been discharged ; c, yolk (just 
discharged from b) entering 
oviduct ; d, e, different stages 
in the development of the 
albumen or white part of the 
egg, and also the membrane 
or skin-like covering that 
surrounds the egg beneath 
the shell; g-, complete egg, 
with shell and all parts fully 
formed, ready to be depos- 
ited through h. 



98 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

volved, will disclose the air chamber in one end of the 
egg and a very small darker spot in another part. This 
spot may seem to be about the size of a pin head or it 
may seem to be a mere speck. It is the germinal spot. 
If the egg is kept at the proper temperature by a hen 
or an incubator, or by any other means, the germinal 
spot will gradually enlarge, and in about three weeks, it 
will have developed into a chick large enough and strong 
enough to peck a hole through the egg shell and then to 
burst the shell and come out. 

When the germ begins to grow, it draws its nourish- 
ment from the rest of the egg. And it continues to 
appropriate the egg for its food until it has exhausted 
the supply of egg substance. By that time the germ 
has developed into a chick that is big enough and strong 
enough to eat other food and to live as older chicks. 

HATCHING OF FISHES 

Little fishes hatch before all the egg substance is 
exhausted. The head passes out at one side of the egg 
and the tail extends out at the opposite side. What is 
left of the egg surrounds the little fish's body and the 
fish swims around carrying the residue of the egg where- 
ever it goes. The egg substance becomes less and less, 
and the little fish becomes larger and larger, until the 
egg is entirely exhausted. The little fish must then 
eat food and derive its nourishment therefrom just as 



SEEDS AND EGGS 99 

do the older fishes. At our government fish hatcheries, 
the little fishes may be seen in all stages of development. 

DIFFERENT METHODS BY WHICH EGGS ARE 
FERTILIZED 

The eggs of some animals are fertilized before they 
leave the female's body. Those of other animals are 
fertilized afterwards. In all cases the male seed or 
semen is what fertilizes them. Female fish and frogs 
deposit their eggs in the water and the males deposit 
their seed upon and among the eggs and they are then 
fertilized. But in all the higher animals the male seed 
must be deposited in the body of the female in order to 
fertilize the- eggs. The eggs of fishes, turtles, frogs 
and all similar animals require no other heat besides 
that derived from the sun, to enable them to hatch. 
Some of these animals prepare a kind of nest in which 
they deposit their eggs. The nests to a limited extent 
protect the eggs and add to their safety. But some of 
these animals prepare no nest at all. They simply de- 
posit their eggs wherever it happens to be convenient, 
and there the eggs are left to their fate. Many fishes 
that live in the deep water, however, go to the quiet 
waters at the head of a stream and there deposit their 
eggs where there is less danger than in the deep waters 
of the ocean, lakes or seas. 

L.oFC. 



100 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

REQUIREMENTS FOR HATCHING THE EGGS 
OF WARM BLOODED ANIMALS 

But the eggs of warm blooded animals must be kept 
warm or the germs within will not develop and hatch. 
Eggs that are not fertilized contain no germinal spot. 
They can not hatch because there is nothing within them 
to develop and grow. An egg, then, before it is fer- 
tilized, is simply a collection of germ food that is pro- 
tected by a covering of shell or a skin-like membrane or 
both. After it is fertilized, it is then an animal germ 
imbedded in enough food to nourish it until it has de- 
veloped into an animal that can obtain its nourishment 
in some other way. We are now prepared to resume 
our study of human reproduction. 



CHAPTER IX 

REPRODUCTION IN THE HUMAN FAMILY 

Before describing the method by which human repro- 
duction is accomplished, we will discuss a few interest- 
ing facts immediately related thereto. 

SUCCESS IN HUMAN REPRODUCTION DEMANDED 
BY HUMAN ECONOMIES 

A great many other things besides reproduction 
demand the attention of human beings. Only a small 
part of their time and vitality can be exclusively devoted 
to this function. Plants and the lower animals have 
nothing else to do besides nourishing themselves and 
reproducing the species. They have the time and vitali- 
ty that is necessary to produce very large numbers of 
babies. And they can produce so many that a large 
proportion may perish and there will still be plenty left. 
But human economies demand a less proportion of fail- 
ures in reproduction. If reproduction in the human 
family even begins, if the embryos are created, a large 
proportion of them must become mature men and 
women. 



102 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

PROFUSION OF SEEDS PRODUCED BY A SINGLE 
PLANT 

One tree or flowering plant often produces hundreds 
of thousands of seeds in a single year. But a human 
mother seldom bears more than one baby in a year and 
a half or two years, and while she is bearing and nursing 
a baby, her time and strength are diverted from other 
things. Therefore, when she makes this sacrifice of time 
and vitality, the conditions must be such that her baby 
has opportunities favorable to its maturity. Otherwise 
a human mother's life might be exhausted in reproduc- 
tion and still nothing would be accomplished. Her time 
and vitality would have been expended and still she 
would have no baby. 

But as plants and the lower animals have so little 
else to do besides the work of reproduction, and, as 
they reproduce so profusely, it matters not if a large 
number of their babies never mature. Indeed with the 
present plans of their reproduction, if the blossoms and 
embryo eggs for a single year should all reach maturity, 
the earth would be overrun. 

NATURE'S POLICY OF REPRODUCTION IN THE LOWER 
FORMS OF LIFE, REVERSED IN THE HIGHER 

In harmony with these conditions, we find in the 
lower forms of life, that Nature's plans insure the be- 



HUMAN REPRODUCTION 103 

ginning of a profusion of reproductions; but only a small 
proportion of them are ever completed. Her motto 
seems to be : Begin a large number of baby plants and 
the lower animals, and a few may escape the dangers 
that await them and then reach maturity. But in the 
human family, the policy is reversed. A smaller number 
of babies are conceived but a much larger proportion of 
them reach full maturity 

EXTENSIVE DESTRUCTION OF BLOSSOMS AND SEEDS AND 
THE EGGS OF THE LOWEST ANIMALS 

Blossoms and immature seeds are eaten by the larger 
animals and also by insects and birds, and they are de- 
stroyed by cold, heat and storms. Myriads beyond con- 
ception are destroyed by all of these methods. And the 
mature seeds are also eaten by birds and various other 
animals and they are destroyed by the elements in count- 
less numbers. The parent plant has no means of pro- 
tecting its babies from the ravages of the innumerable 
hosts ever ready to destroy them. 

The immature babies of the lower animals are no 
better protected. Fish and frog eggs are deposited 
and usually totally abandoned by the parents. They are 
consequently eaten by other fish and animals and are 
otherwise destroyed by countless millions. And frogs 
and fishes are not the lowest animals. Those still 
lower are threatened by even more numerous dangers. 



104 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

But they all reproduce in such profusion that only a very 
small proportion need to survive in order to maintain a 
full supply. If all the eggs from a single shad or sal- 
mon should hatch and become mature fish, there would 
be enough to supply quite a large city for several weeks. 

BETTER PROTECTION OF BIRDS' EGGS AND 
YOUNG BIRDS 

Birds are higher in the scale of animal intelligence 
and consequently superior. And they reproduce less pro- 
fusely, but their young receive better protection and a 
larger proportion reach maturity. Having more intel- 
ligence than fishes and the animals still lower than fishes, 
they consequently understand better how to protect their 
young. They do protect them much better, and a far 
less proportion of bird's eggs and of little birds are de- 
stroyed. Consequently a less number of bird's eggs are 
necessary to maintain a supply of birds. 

Some birds lay but two eggs during a season. Others 
lay four to six. While a few sometimes lay as many as 
thirty. Seldom any more than that number are laid by 
one bird during the year. But a fish deposits many 
thousands. A bird builds a nice nest and deposits her 
eggs therein. She or her mate watches these eggs day 
and night until they are hatched. She or her mate sits 
on the eggs most of the time in order to keep them warm 
enough for the little birds within them to grow. Con- 



HUMAN REPRODUCTION 105 

sequently the old birds are always near the eggs to pro- 
tect them from many dangers. 

STILL BETTER PROTECTION OF THE EGGS AND 
YOUNG OF THE HIGHER ANIMALS 

The animals higher than birds, protect their young 
still better. And the better protection is not altogether 
due to superiority of intelligence. It is largely due to 
the better plans by which reproduction is accomplished. 
Horses, cattle, dogs, cats, monkeys, elephants, etc., 
all belong to the higher classes of animals. But as 
human beings are the very highest of all animals, and 
as the plans of reproduction are quite similar among all 
of these animals, we will describe human reproduction 
only. 

HOW THE HUMAN EMBRYO AND BABY ARE 
PROTECTED BEST OF ALL 

The human baby is much better protected than the 
babies of birds. The human baby develops from the 
egg of its mother before the egg leaves the mother's 
body. The human baby then remains in the mother's 
body and is protected for a still longer time. 

Larger birds and animals of various kinds may over- 
power and drive away the mother of little birds. Storms 
may break down the nest and destroy the eggs and fire 
may consume them. But the human embryo is not ex- 



106 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

posed to such enemies. Snug in its little bed within its 
mother's body, it is fully protected from many dangers 
that ever threaten the little birds and all of the lower 
animals. The human mother cannot go away and leave 
her embryo. She always carries it with her. If danger 
threatens and she escapes, it also escapes. When fires, 
floods, cold or living enemies endanger a human mother 
and her unborn babe, if she succeeds in reaching a place 
of safety, the babe is also safe. Her safety insures its 
safety. 

This arrangement is also a great economy of time. 
If, for example, our domestic animals were reproduced 
by means of eggs that were laid and afterwards hatched, 
these eggs would be a constant care and would be in 
constant danger. Much of the mother's time would be 
required to protect and hatch them, and many of them 
would be destroyed even then. 

PROPER FOOD INSURED TO THE HUMAN BABY 

Besides providing a better protection for unborn 
babies, the plans of human reproduction also insure 
their proper nourishment afterwards. All human 
mothers that are healthful and normal, prepare within 
their own breasts, the proper food for their babies. This 
insures that even the very youngest babies will be pro- 
vided with plenty of food. And it is always of the right 
kind. It is never too hot nor too cold. It is never over- 



HUMAN REPRODUCTION 107 

cooked nor burned. Neither is it under done. It is not 
too hard to chew nor is it too rich. It is not indigesti- 
ble nor deficient in nourishing properties. On the con- 
trary, it is just right. There is always plenty of it and 
it is always ready. If the normal, healthful mother can 
secure plenty of food for herself, and it is of the proper 
kind, she always has plenty for her babies. Those cases 
in which a mother's milk is deficient in quantity or quali- 
ty, are cases in which the mother is either not normal 
or not healthful. 

If the babies of human beings and those of all the 
higher animals, were not provided for by the milk of 
their mothers, they would perish in large numbers be- 
cause a proper food could not always be procured and 
properly prepared for them. 

HOW A HUMAN BABY IS CREATED 

We will now investigate the plans by which a human 
baby is created, and we will begin by a more thorough 
description of semen. 

SEMEN MORE FULLY DESCRIBED 

Semen is a thick, whitish, albuminous fluid, it looks 
somewhat like the white part of an egg. As we saw in 
a previous chapter, it is formed in the testicles. 



108 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

THE SPERMATOZOA 

When a drop of semen is magnified, a very curious 
fact is disclosed. The semen is found to be filled with 
little living animals or animalcule. They are called 
spermatozoa. They are exceedingly small and there are 




Fig. 15 

HUMAN SPERMATOZOA 

Magnified eight hundred diameters. 

These are the animalcule or little living animals that 
may be seen in semen when it is highly magnified. 



thousands of them in a single drop of semen. They are 
so very small that it requires from four thousand to ten 
thousand of them lain side by side to cover a space an 
inch wide. They look very much like polly-wogs or tad- 



HUMAN REPRODUCTION 109 

poles; or the embryo mosquitoes or wiglers that can 
often be seen in the rain barrel and in ponds during the 
summer. 

The spermatozoa are very active and lively. When 
a drop of fresh normal semen is viewed through a power- 
ful microscope, the spermatozoa are seen in very large 
numbers, wiggling and darting hither and thither in 
various directions through the semen. (They soon die, 
however, on being exposed to the air or cold) 

The spermatozoa are the important part of the semen. 
The rest of the semen is a fluid that constitutes a home 
for the spermatozoa, and perhaps their food, and it is a 
vehicle by which they may be carried from one part of 
the -sexual system to another, and also from the male 
to the female reproductive organs. It is the sperm- 
atozoa that unite with the ova and thus create embryos 
to develop into babies. 

MEETING OF THE SPERMATOZOA AND OVA 

During coition or sexual intercourse, the semen is 
deposited in the vagina) at or near the mouth of the 
womb] The spermatozoa then begin to move into the 
womb. But they are so very small that they do not 
move very fast. [It probably requires two or three 
hours and perhaps much longer for them to penetrate 
into the center of the body of the womb?) Nobody 
knows exactly how much time is required. And there 



110 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

is a difference of opinion in regard to where the sperm- 
atozoa meet the ova. Some physiologists think that it 
is in the womb; others say that it is in the fallopian 
tubes; and still others claim that it is in the ovaries. 
But they meet somewhere in one organ or the other, 
and when one of the spermatozoa unites with the ovum, 
the two objects then form but one. The spermatozoa 
perhaps enter the ova. 

IMPREGNATION 

This union of the male and female elements is called 
impregnation or conception. And when it has taken 
place, the female is said to have conceived. Or, to be 
pregnant. 

This is the beginning of a new life. A new human 
being is then ushered into existence. At this time, how- 
ever, the human embryo has very little resemblance to 
a baby. But it will continue to develop and grow, day 
after day, and in about nine months it will be a baby 
large enough and strong enough to be born. All people 
and all the higher animals begin their existence in this 
way. 

ORGAN IN WHICH THE SPERMATOZOA AND OVA 
DEVELOP INTO A BABY 

Wherever the spermatozoa and the ova may first 
meet, one thing is very certain ; and that is the fact, 



HUMAN REPRODUCTION 111 

that within a very short time after they meet, they are 
then in the womb. And it is in this organ that they 
develop into a baby. 

SMALLNESS OF HUMAN OVA EXPLAINED 

The ova of the higher animals are much smaller than 
the eggs of birds and the eggs of our domestic fowls. 
(The ovum of a woman is not larger than the head of a 
small pirn) It requires about one hundred and twenty of 
them lain side by side, to reach an inch. It may seem 
strange that little birds should develop from large eggs, 
while a human baby begins its existence in one so small. 
The explanation is this: A little bird must be nourished 
by the egg in which it grows, until it can eat as other 
birds. Little quails and kill-deers are so well developed 
by the time they leave the shells, that they can run al- 
most immediately, and so fast that a boy has hard work 
to catch them. Consequently, the eggs from which they 
hatch, must be large enough to contain the quantity of 
nourishment that is necessary to develop birds so large 
and strong. 

But the human embryo is nourished by the ovum 
only for a few hours. Or but for a few days at the very 
longest. It is then nourished by its mother's blood di- 
rect from her body. It therefore requires only a very 
small egg. As the spermatozoa are so very small, they 



112 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

require but very small ova to nourish them even for 
several days. 

NAVAL CORD AND PLACENTA OR AFTFR-BIRTH 

By the time a human embryo has exhausted the 
contents of the little ovum, an organ has been developed 
by which the embryo's nourishment can be derived from 
the mother's blood. This organ is attached to the in- 
side of the womb. It is called the placenta or after- 
birth. A cord called the naval cord extends from the 
placenta to the abdomen of the baby. The placenta 
contains a number of blood vessels, the mouths of which 
unite with the mouths of blood vessels in the womb. 
The naval cord contains three blood vessels. 

HOW THE EMBRYO IS NOURISHED BY THE PURE 
BLOOD OF THE MOTHER 

Pure blood passes from the mother's womb into the 
placenta and thence through the naval cord into the 
baby's body. After circulating through the baby's body, 
the blood returns, impure, through the naval cord into 
the placenta, and thence into the mother's womb and is 
then carried to her lungs and is again purified. 

PERFECTION OF THE PLANS OF HUMAN 
REPRODUCTION 

Can you imagine anything nearer perfection than 



HUMAN REPRODUCTION 113 

these plans of creating, protecting and nourishing a 
human baby? How every detail evinces the mind of a 
master! Their ultimate object is the reproduction of 
the species. And every feature of these plans exhibits 
an adaptation to this end. Every detail is perfectly ad- 
justed to work in harmony with every other detail, and 
all are perfectly adapted to the successful accomplish- 
ment of the ultimate object. 

WHEN IMPREGNATION MAY OCCUR 

(Each twenty-eight days the normal woman develops 
and matures one or more oval) These are retained, 
ready for impregnation, a large part of each month. 
If they are not impregnated, they eventually pass out 
of the womb and in due time others take their place. 
The normal woman, therefore, is prepared to reproduce 
during the greater part of the time from puberty to the 
menopause. And the male is practically always pre- 
pared. Vegetation and the lower forms of animal life, 
reproduce only at certain seasons when the weather is 
favorable. But human beings, possessing the intelli- 
gence to provide for their babies even in severe weather, 
they are prepared to reproduce during all seasons. The 
male is prepared during the entire time, and the female, 
during a large part of each twenty-eight days. 



114 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

SUPERIORITY OF THE PLANS FOR PROTECTING 
THE OVA 

The plans of human reproduction require the ova to 
be small and delicate. The ova are, therefore, easily 
injured, and their safety demands that they shall be well 
protected. All this is amply provided for by their lo- 
cation in the mother's body. The warmth of her body 
keeps them warm. And the part of her body in which 
they are located, being secure and well protected, they 
also are well protected. 

HOW THE PROTECTION OF THE SPERMATOZOA IS 
INSURED 

The spermatozoa of the semen are so very small 
that they could not be otherwise than tender and deli- 
cate. But they are never exposed to cold nor other 
dangers from the time of their creation until their mis- 
sion is accomplished. They are protected in the warm 
body of the male until they are deposited in the warm 
body of the female. They are, therefore, never exposed 
at any time. 

PROTECTION INSURED TO THE UNBORN 
BABE 

And a baby is never exposed from the time of its 
conception, until it is large enough and strong enough 



HUMAN REPRODUCTION 115 

to be safe with less protection. It is then born. Dur- 
ing the time that an embryo is developing, it is in a very 
secure part of its mother's body. It is surrounded by 
a bony frame-work called the pelvis, which even protects 
it from blows or other similar accidents to the mother. 

EVIDENCE OF A MASTER MIND SHOWN IN THE 
PLANS OF REPRODUCTION 

Thus we see, every detail of the work of reproduc- 
tion exhibits evidence of having been planned by a 
master mind. But this product of an infinite mind is 
given into the keeping of mortals. And much of mortal 
happiness and misery is the direct result of a wise or an 
unwise use of the reproductive system. And while 
its construction and the methods of its operation bear 
evidence of having been designed by a mind beyond 
the human understanding, yet the care and the use of 
these organs are given into the keeping of each indi- 
vidual. And our ability to investigate, discern and 
reason, enables each to ascertain what is wise and what 
is unwise in regard to their care and use. How these 
organs shall be cared for, and when they shall be used, 
and how, is left to each individual. And each individual 
is held responsible for the results. The rewards for the 
wisdom and the punishments for the mistakes are given 
without a single exception. The laws of Nature are so 



116 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

adjusted that there can be no escape from the punish- 
ments deserved, nor any methods of securing the 
rewards that are not earned. The results of either line 
of action are inevitable and unavoidable. It is there- 
fore the part of wisdom to understand these great laws 
of Nature, and to so adjust our lives that we shall be in 
harmony with their requirements, and thus secure the 
rewards for well doing and escape the penalties of 
wrong doing. To assist you to thus live, is the object 
of this book. 



CHAPTER X 

NATURE'S PLANS FOR INSURING THE MOST 
BABIES PROM THE BEST PARENTS 

The wisdom evinced in the great laws of reproduc- 
tion, is not confined to the construction of the reproduc- 
tive organs and their adaptation to the work for which 
they were designed, but it is also seen in the operation 
of these laws. Nature has not rested satisfied when 
she had designed organs that are perfectly adapted to 
the work of reproduction. She has not ceased her efforts 
when she had established laws and organs by which the 
work of reproduction may be accomplished, but she has 
gone one step further and has established laws which 
insure that this work shall be accomplished. 

And she does not stop even here. She not only in- 
sures that reproduction shall take place, but her laws 
also operate to insure the best results in reproduction. 
These laws insure that the best males and the best females 
shall reproduce most. This insures a larger proportion 
of babies to be born and matured by the best parents. 
This is constantly improving plants and animals. The 
proportion of the better ones is constantly becoming 



118 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

greater and greater, and the proportion of the poorer 
ones is constantly becoming less and less. 

LIFE OP ANNUAL PLANTS ENDED WITH THE 
RIPENING OF THEIR SEEDS 

Let us now examine some of the facts upon which 
these statements are based. Among the plants that 
live but a single season, reproduction seems to be the 
principle object of their existence. They grow and 
thrive until they have matured their seeds, and then 
they die. If a farmer fails to gather his crops of wheat, 
oats, rye, barley, etc., when they are ripe, the stalks or 
straws will soon become too weak to support their load 
of ripened grain, and they will bend to "the ground and 
scatter the seeds. The crop is then lost. The grain 
is soon moistened by the rains and dampness of the 
earth and it sprouts and grows preparatory to the pro- 
duction of another crop. 

With other annual plants the results are practically 
the same. When they have ripened their seeds, the 
object intended by Nature seems to have been accom- 
plished and the parent plants then die. And the next 
season their places are filled by their children. The em- 
bryo plants — the germs within the seeds of the parent 
plants — have then developed into other plants that in 
their turn become parents and mature other seeds. This 
process is repeated year after year as time goes on. 



MOST BABIES FROM BEST PARENTS 119 

FORCES OF THE TREES CONCENTRATED IN 
REPRODUCTION 

Among trees and other plants that live for a number 
of years, we find that the results are practically the same, 
except that the parent plants do not die each season. 
That is, the entire plant does not die; but part of it — 
the leaves — are renewed each spring and they die each 
autumn, except those of the evergreens. And part of 
the leaves of the evergreens die and are replaced by 
others every year. 

Each year, therefore, marks a distinct cycle in the 
lives of trees. After having remained dormant during 
the winter, with the return of the bright sunshine and 
the balmy breezes of spring, the vigor that the trees 
seem to have accumulated during this rest, is expended 
in reproducing a new crop of seeds. A new foliage 
appears, and a new growth of twigs, together with the 
blossoms for the new seeds. In due time the seeds are 
matured and the leaves of the trees eventually fall. 
Each season during the life of a tree seems to be util- 
ized by the tree either in reproducing or in preparing 
itself for reproduction. 

HOW PLANTS EXERT EVERY EFFORT TO 
REPRODUCE 

And no matter how unfavorable may be the condi- 
tions of a plant, it will usually make the effort to re- 



120 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

produce. If the farmer has planted his wheat or oats 
too late to give the plants time to grow large and to 
become vigorous, they will nevertheless make the effort 
to reproduce. Even though each plant is small and it 
is too weak to produce very many seeds, still, when the 
time for harvest arrives, it will produce some seeds if it 
is at all possible. And these seeds will ripen but very 
little later than the seeds produced from the plants that 
have had plenty of time to grow 

If the soil lacks fertility, the results are about the 
same. The plants do not have enough vigor to become 
large, and they may be unable to produce very many 
seeds; but if it is possible, they will produce some. But 
these seeds will be smaller than those grown on fertile 
soil. Crab-grass and weeds of various kinds that have 
been cut or broken off repeatedly, until the season for 
them to produce seed is almost passed, will still send 
up new shoots and endeavor to produce seeds as long 
as the season lasts. And even though the destruction 
of the plant is almost complete, if there is any chance 
for it to produce even a few seeds, it will do so. 

HOW THE MORE VIGOROUS PLANTS CROWD OUT 
THE WEAKER 

When there are plenty of seeds in a given space of 
ground, it is the more vigorous ones that will germinate 
first, and they will develop into the largest and most 



MOST BABIES FROM BEST PARENTS 121 

vigorous plants. And if there is not room enough for 
all, the weaker seeds may not germinate at all, and even 
if they do germinate, they develop only weak plants 
that are often crowded out by the stronger ones. And 
if they continue to live and grow, they produce but a 
few seeds. It is the largest and most vigorous plants 
that will produce the most and the best seeds, which will 
in turn develop into large and vigorous plants. This 
improves the stock. The best thus produces most and 
is perpetuated while the poorer is crowded out and 
eventually becomes extinct. 

WHY INFERIOR FLOWERS BECOME EXTINCT WHILE 
THE BRIGHTER AND PRETTIER THRIVE 

Among the flowering plants, those that produce the 
most vigorous, bright and beautiful flowers, are the ones 
that gradually become the most numerous. In seasons 
when there is a scarcity of bees, the small, obscure and 
poorly colored flowers are overlooked by the bees and 
are not fertilized. They consequently produce no seed. 
While the bright, showy, conspicuous flowers are easily 
found by the bees, and they are consequently visited by 
them in their search for honey. These flowers, there- 
fore, are fertilized and produce plenty of seeds which 
continue the existence of that species of plants, while 
their less favored neighbors fail to reproduce and con- 
sequently that stock disappears. 



122 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

WHY THE BEST ANIMALS PERPETUATE THE 

SPECIES 

Among animals, Nature's laws are equally effectual 
in preserving and increasing the best. It is the more 
weak and sickly birds that are most frequently caught 
and devoured by hawks and other enemies, while the 
strong, vigorous and shrewd ones escape and reproduce. 

When there is a scarcity of food for wolves, the less 
fleet and those that are weak and sickly, starve. But 
those that are swift, strong and vigorous, secure the 
little food that can be gotten, and it is they that live 
and reproduce. When there is a scarcity of food for 
lions, tigers and foxes, those that are the most sly, 
secretive, and cunning, are the ones that secure the little 
food that is to be had, and it is consequently they that 
live and reproduce, while their less proficient rivals 
starve. 

When the enemies of deer, antelope, sheep, etc., 
are especially numerous and ravenous, those animals 
escape which are the most prudent, alert and fleet, and 
it is they that preserve the stock. 

Thus we see, Nature's laws operate to perserve and 
perpetuate the best of her productions, and also to con- 
stantly improve them. Illustrations of these laws might 
be multiplied until they would fill a large volume. But 
it is not the purpose of this book to consider them any 



MOST BABIES FROM BEST PARENTS 123 

further than is necessary to illustrate the subjects dis- 
cussed herein.* 

OTHER REASONS WHY THE BEST ANIMALS BEGET 
AND BEAR THE MOST OFFSPRING 

The desire to procreate and to protect their young, 
are among the very strongest propensities that animals 
possess. During the mating season, the desire to pro- 
create is so intensely strong that animals will make 
almost any sacrifice to accomplish that object. 

And the love of offspring is so very great, especially 
in the female, that almost any personal sacrifice will be 
made, and almost any pain, inconvenience or hardship 
will be endured, in order to protect and rear the young. 

Even mothers of a mild and timid disposition, often 
become perfectly reckless of their own safety when 
their babies are in danger, and they frequently fight for 
their progeny with an intensity and desperation that 
often holds at bay, cowes and defeats an enemy more 
powerful than themselves. 

All animals possess these propensities, therefore it 
is the natural tendency of them all, to endeavor to re- 
produce and rear their young. But the more healthful 
and vigorous the animal, the stronger and more intense 
and masterful are these propensities. This insures that 

*For further information on this subject, see Darwin's 
"Origin of Species." 



124 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

the most healthful and vigorous animals, will put 
forth the strongest efforts to reproduce. And when 
there are difficulties in the way of reproduction, the 
propensities of the healthful and vigorous are often 
strong enough to cause them to overcome the difficulties, 
w T hile those less healthful and vigorous are deterred. 
This insures the most offspring from the best animals 
and consequently improves the species. 

WHY THE BEST ANIMALS ARE MATED FIRST 

Another law that is also very effective, is the law 
which leads animals to prefer for their mates, the best 
ones of the opposite sex, and to consequently select 
them first in mating. Therefore, if for any reason, there 
is not a sufficient number of either sex, to mate with all 
those of the opposite sex, then those that will be sup- 
plied with mates, and that will reproduce, are the best 
that can be selected from the entire number of that sex. 
Consequently, those that will reproduce, are the best. 

HOW THE STRONGER MALES PREVENT THE WEAKER 
FROM REPRODUCING 

Working in harmony with this law, is the law that 
leads animals, especially males, to fight their rivals. 
This fighting decides which one is the best, and it enables 
the best to subdue all rivals and to drive them away. 



MOST BABIES FROM BEST PARENTS 125 

For example, if there are two or more roosters with 
one flock of hens, these roosters will fight until one of 
them is acknowledged the victor. This proves him to 
be the best, and the weaker ones are glad to keep out 
of his way and thus escape further punishment. As 
long as all the other roosters are prevented from ap- 
proaching the flock, of course it is only the strongest 
and bes;t one that will be the father of all chicks pro- 
duced by those hens. In this way, Nature has selected 
the best rooster obtainable for the father of the chicks 
that those hens produce. 

THE BEST BABIES POSSIBLE INSURED BY 
NATURE'S LAWS 

This law, therefore, insures that the father of the 
chicks shall be the best rooster. And the best fathers 
beget the best children. Consequently the chicks from 
that flock of hens, are the best possible under the 
circumstances. 

LITTLE BIRDS AND THEIR RIVALS IN MATING 

Even the little birds that seem the very embodiment 
of love and joy and song, will fight most desperate 
battles in order to secure the mates desired. They also 
sing and coo to each other for the same purpose. It is 
in the spring that the birds mate. At that time the 
male often seems to bubble over with song, music and 



126 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

ecstacy as he pours forth his song in an earnest effort to 
win and hold the affections of the female bird that he 
desires for his mate. And if another male should appear 
upon the scene as a rival for the affections of his sweet- 
heart, a battle would immediately ensue. 

HOW SONG BIRDS AND THOSE OF BRILLIANT 
PLUMAGE WIN THEIR MATES 

It is usually during the spring that peacocks and 
turkey cocks and all other birds of brilliant plumage, 
strut and display their fine feathers, and they do this 
to win the admiration of the females. And if there are 
not enough females for the wives of the entire number 
of males, then those that sing poorly and those that 
have the least beautiful plumage, are the ones that will 
not be mated unless they can vanquish their rivals in 
battle. If they succeed in this, then beauty, sweetness 
and brilliancy in song, and beauty and display in plumage, 
must give way to the superior physical powers of the 
more lusty. The fair are then won by the strong and 
brave, and not by those that are beautifully dressed 
and talented in song. 

MATING AMONG THE WILD ANIMALS 

Among the wild animals every mating season exhibits 
renewed evidence of the operation of these laws. Every 



MOST BABIES FROM BEST PARENTS 127 

season the males contend with each other, and the more 
powerful defeat their rivals. The one that was most 
powerful during a previous season, may this year be 
defeated by a younger and more vigorous adversary. 
And another that is too young this year to successfully 
contend with a more mature antagonist, may be the 
victor next year. 

In this way Nature ever selects the best males for 
the fathers of her babies. Even the animals that are 
usually very timid and peaceful, are no exception to 
this law. The male elk, deer, gazelle and even the rab- 
bit, fight fiercely and courageously whenever they meet 
with rivals in their love affairs. And the elk and deer 
and other animals that shed their horns, are best pro- 
vided with these weapons only during the mating season. 
After each mating season, the horns are shed. In due 
time another set of horns begins to develop but they 
are not fully matured until about the time of the next 
season for mating. 

Our common domestic animals also illustrate the 
operations of these laws. 

HOW THE SAME LAWS OPERATE IN THE HUMAN 
FAMILY 

These same laws operate, and are equally effective, 
in the human family. But among human beings, they 



128 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

are, of course, modified in their actions, and their op- 
erations are often concealed by human intelligence. 
Nevertheless, they have their influence upon human 
actions, and we will discuss them more fully in subsequent 
chapters, and will point out some of their results in mod- 
ifying human character and conduct. 



CHAPTER XI 

INFLUENCE OF SEXUALITY UPON THE 
POPULARITY OF MEN AND WOMEN 

Sexuality stamps its imprint upon every department 
of mind and body. No part is left uninfluenced. And 
the more numerous and diversified the mental attributes 
are, the more far-reaching sexuality is seen to be. 

A KEY TO THE HEARTS OF BOTH SEXES 

Nothing contributes more to the success and pop- 
ularity of men and women, than does this valuable qual- 
ity. It is a key to the hearts of both sexes. No man 
or woman was ever great and popular without this im- 
portant attribute. Its deficiency leaves an incomplete- 
ness of manhood and womanhood for which no other 
virtues will recompense. And being absolutely essential 
to the completeness of every man and woman, it is 
admired, appreciated and prized the world over. 

The majority of men and women, however, do not 
fully realize these facts. They know that they admire 
certain persons. And they may also realize that what 



130 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

they admire, is certain qualities, powers, manners and 
attributes. But they do not realize that many of these 
attributes are the indications of sexuality; that they 
are qualities and actions that are developed or induced 
by sexuality; that they are accessories to sexuality; 
that they are developed or induced for the purpose of 
assisting the sex principle to more effectually accomplish 
the purpose of its existence; and that these superior 
qualities are never found in persons deficient in sexuality. 

SECRET OF POPULARITY EXAMINED 

, But let us see. Let us examine some of the char- 
acteristics that render men and women popular; and 
let us ascertain how intimately these characteristics are 
related to sexuality. 

The facts, principles and laws that we have already 
noted in preceding pages, will assist us in this investi- 
gation; and for our further assistance, we will now 
examine others. 

THE LAW OF POPULARITY 

Men and women, the world over, who are the most 
popular, are those that have done the most for the 
world. 

Sometimes the value of a service is not realized at 
the time it is rendered. Sometimes its value is not 



SEXUALITY AND POPULARITY 131 

recognized until years after the death of the one by 
whom it was rendered. And this person may have been 
very unpopular during life. But whenever the value of 
a service is fully understood, then it is appreciated, and 
the one by whom it was rendered, is popularized in pro- 
portion to the estimated value of the service. 

Sometimes, therefore, a person is popular with his 
most intimate associates, and sometimes he is popular 
only with subsequent generations. And many persons 
who are very popular at some given time during their 
lives, are soon forgotten because their services are 
found to have been over-estimated. 

The law of popularity, then, may be stated as follows : 
Those whom we admire, appreciate and popularize, are 
those whom we believe to have done, or to be doing, or 
to be prepared to do, something for us that we value. 

WHAT THE PAGES . OF HISTORY REVEAL 

Search the pages of history from beginning to end, 
and you will not find a single exception to this law. 
The names in history that are most familiar to every- 
body, are the names of those who have done the most 
for everybody. And the men and women now living, 
who are the most popular with everybody, are those 
who are supposed to be performing the greatest services 
for everybody. 

But, as we have already seen, at the time a service 



132 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

is rendered, we are very liable to be mistaken in regard 
to its value. History, however, makes few mistakes in 
this respect, and the historical characters who are pop- 
ular, are permanently popular. And those now living 
who are popular to-day, will continue to be popular or 
they will soon be forgotten, just as their services prove 
to be valuable or of little worth. 

WHAT DETERMINES WHO SHALL BE MOST 
POPULAR WITH YOU 

If you will think over your personal acquaintances 
who are the most popular with you, you will find that 
these persons are those that you think have done the 
most for you or who can and will do the most for you. 
Your estimate of their services may not be correct. 
You may be over-estimating some, and under-estimating 
others. It is in fact most probable that you are more 
or less mistaken. Nevertheless, your mistakes do not 
change the law, and the real motive that actuates you, 
is the one that we have explained. 

SEXUALITY'S IMMEDIATE RELATION TO 
POPULARITY 

But what has all this to do with sexuality? Let us 
see. 

First, a man or woman deficient in sexuality, lacks 
the ability and power to perform a service sufficiently 



SEXUALITY AND POPULARITY 133 

valuable to render him or her great enough to be popu- 
lar with a large number of people. 

Second, sexuality and what is developed by virture 
of sexuality, are the very attributes that are the most 
influential of all, in rendering the sexes popular with 
each other. 

WHAT MEN AND WOMEN MOST ADMIRE IN 
EACH OTHER 

Sexuality and the accessory qualities developed 
thereby, are the very qualities that men most highly 
appreciate in women, and they are also the qualities 
that women most highly appreciate in men. Eliminate 
sexuality, and there is then no more attraction between 
the sexes, than there is between persons of the same 
sex. In fact, not so much. With sexuality eliminated, 
there is really nothing to attract the sexes to each 
other. There are no interests in common between them. 
A man has certain interests in common with other men 
that he does not have with women. And a woman has 
certain interests in common with other women that she 
does not have with men. But sexuality, and what grows 
out of sexuality, are the only attractions between the 
sexes, that do not also exist between persons of the 
same sex. 



134 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

FACTS THAT ILLUSTRATE THESE LAWS 

We will now examine some of the facts that support 
the statements we have made. For illustrations of 
popularity being in proportion to services rendered, we 
will mention a few well-known names. Among those 
who have benefited the entire world, and who are con- 
sequently respected, appreciated, honored and popular- 
ized all over the world, we will mention Galileo, Newton, 
Harvey, Watts, Whitney, Fulton, Stephenson, Morse, 
Edison, Columbus, Franklin, Harriet Beecher Stowe, 
Frances E. Willard and Clara Barton. 

Among those who are popular, more especially in 
America, because the services that they have rendered 
are of greatest value only to Americans, we will mention 
Washington, Jefferson, LaFayette, Grant, Sherman, 
Lincoln and Clay. 

WHAT ATTRACTS THE SEXES TO EACH OTHER 

The attractions between the sexes, are based upon 
the advantages of the sexes to each other; the pleasures 
that they derive from each other; the services that 
each renders to the other. Each sex loves the other 
because each derives benefits, pleasures and assistance 
from the other. In reproduction, the sexes must co- 
operate. In no other way can this object be accom- 
plished. And to most successfully co-operate and accom- 



SEXUALITY AND POPULARITY 135 

plish the work of reproduction, the sexes must be at- 
tracted to each other. Sexuality, more than ail other 
things combined, is what attracts them. 

AN INSTINCTIVE DESIRE TO REPRODUCE 

In all normal men and women, there is an instinctive 
desire to reproduce. A desire that is entirely independ- 
ent of any intellectual preference. The intellect or judg- 
ment may be, and often is, positively antagonistic to this 
desire. Nevertheless, it exists, and is ever impelling 
towards reproduction. But, of course, this desire may 
be opposed, counteracted, suppressed or its execution 
deferred, by the judgment or the actions of other feel- 
ings. 

AN INSTINCTIVE DESIRE TO PRODUCE THE BEST 
OFFSPRING POSSIBLE 

There is also an instinctive desire to become the 
parent of the best babe possible. This necessitates the 
selection of the best helpmate possible. The better the 
parents, the better the offspring. 

WHAT THE SEXES ADMIRE IN EACH OTHER 
MOST OF ALL 

And what the sexes especially admire, appreciate 
and prize in each other, is the ability to become superior 



136 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

parents. Other attractions between the sexes are based 
upon and grow out of this one. What a man most ad- 
mires in a woman, is her ability to render him the best 
services as a wife to him and a mother to his children. 
And what a woman most admires in a man, is his ability 
to be the best husband to her and the best father to 
her children. 

DESIRES ONLY INSTINCTIVE — NOT INTELLECTUAL 

This is frequently altogether instinctive or intuition- 
al. But there may also be an intellectual desire, and 
there often is with persons who understand these laws. 

Of course there are other things that the sexes ap- 
preciate in each other, but they are all based upon this 
one, or else they are services that may be rendered by 
the same sex. 

THE REAL ATTRACTION BETWEEN THE SEXES, AND 
WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK IT IS 

The ability to become a superior parent, includes 
not only the ability to reproduce, but also, all of those 
accessory qualities that contribute to the very best suc- 
cess in reproduction. And it is usually these accessory 
qualities, only, that men and women recognize intellect- 
ually; consequently, as a rule, they think that these 



SEXUALITY AND POPULARITY 137 

accessory qualities in a person of the opposite sex, are 
the only qualities that attract them to that person. 

As the sexes admire in each other, the ability to 
become superior parents, they also admire all of those 
accessory qualities that contribute to that end. These 
include all of the masculine qualities in the males and 
all the feminine qualities in the females. 

Let us now endeavor to see what some of the more 
important of these qualities are. 

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT MEN MOST ADMIRE 
IN WOMEN AND WHY 

That a woman may bear the best babe possible, she 
must have the capacity and ability to properly nourish 
it until the time of its birth. This requires healthful 
and vigorous reproductive organs, a body large in th« 
region of these organs, and good vital powers. 

That a woman may carry a large babe within her 
womb, she must have broad hips, and the distance from 
the front part of her abdomen, to the spine, must be 
ample. This is necessary to insure sufficient room for 
a large baby. Her vital organs must be well developed 
to enable her to properly nourish both the babe and 
herself before it is born. Large vital organs give 
her a plump, round form, face and limbs. All of these 
physical developments are admired by men. Most men, 



138 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

however, could not tell why. They simply know that 
they admire such developments in women. 

A FINE BUST AND WHAT IT SIGNIFIES 

That the babe may be amply nourished after its 
birth, large, healthful and vigorous breasts are neces- 
sary. And a fine bust is admired by all intelligent and 
progressive people in all parts of the world. All of 
these developments are feminine. They all contribute 
to a woman's success in the capacity of a mother. 
They insure the greatest size and strength where they 
are most needed.- 

MENTAL QUALITIES MOST ADMIRED IN WOMEN 
AND WHY 

As a woman with a babe in her womb, or in her 
arms, or even with a small child by her side, is not in a 
condition to meet and resist physical dangers or as- 
saults, it is to her interest and also to the interest of 
the race, for her to avoid these dangers. She does not 
therefore have the physical strength necessary to meet 
such dangers. On the contrary, her body should be, 
and is, strong in the organs of motherhood, but not in 
the organs most essential in battle. And the most su- 
perior women also have a character that is in harmony 
with these physical developments. Therefore a woman 



SEXUALITY AND POPULARITY 139 

is not brave, bold and aggressive. On the contrary she 
is cautious, prudent, discreet, careful, insinuating, 
appreciative, etc. All of these qualities men admire 
in women. 

THE KIND OF MEN THAT MAKE THE BEST 
HUSBANDS 

The woman therefore needs protection and assist- 
ance and so do her babies. And her husband and their 
father, is the one who should render this service. She 
will therefore admire in a man, the qualities that give 
him the ability and inclination to afford this protection 
and assistance. To insure these benefits, the husband 
must have the requisite physical strength and the mental 
characteristics to best use it. The woman's strength 
should be in the organs of motherhood and in the mental 
characteristics that will render her a good and prudent 
wife and mother. 

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTS OF MEN THAT WOMEN 
MOST ADMIRE AND WHY 

As the male reproductive organs require but little 
room in the pelvis, it is not necessary that a man's hips 
shall be broad. He requires strength in these parts in- 
stead of breadth. His hips are therefore more narrow 
than a woman's, but he has more physical strength in 
this region. 



140 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

The man also needs strong shoulders and strong arms 
and hands and limbs. Just what we find exactly. All 
these parts are strong and the shoulders are broad, and 
the chest broad and deep. The lungs must be large in 
order to furnish sufficient oxygen for a strong and ac- 
tive man. Large lungs require a large chest. In short, 
the entire body must be large and vigorous in the parts 
that give strength. Therefore, the male form is not 
round and plump like that of a woman, but it is more 
angular and strong. The muscles of a man's arms and 
hands, lower limbs and body are proportionately larger 
and more prominent than those of a woman. His bones 
are also larger and the joints are more prominent. 
These developments insure greater physical power in 
the male. 

MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT WOMEN MOST 
ADMIRE IN MEN AND WHY 

But to use this physical power most effectually, the 
male must also have the requisite mental qualities. 
These are self-reliance, courage, bravery, persistence, 
independence, generosity, etc. All of these qualities 
women admire in men. 

PHYSICAL FIGURES OF THE MAN AND WOMAN 
COMPARED 

Comparing the physical figures of the two sexes, we 



SEXUALITY AND POPULARITY 141 

find that the man is broadest at the shoulders, and his 
body tapers from the shoulders towards both extremi- 
ties. 

The woman is broadest at the hips and her body 
tapers from the hips towards the upper and lower ex- 
tremities. These forms give each the most size and 
strength where they are most needed. The woman, in 
the organs of motherhood, and the man, in the organs 
most needed to best protect and care for wife and 
babies. 

MASCULINE WOMEN AND EFFEMINATE MEN 

In masculine women and effeminate men, all of these 
characteristics are more or less reversed. And nobody 
admires the masculine women, except the effeminate 
men, and nobody admires the small effeminate men, ex- 
cept the masculine women. Women often enjoy the 
society of little effeminate men, but only for the purpose 
of talking to them and teasing them or playing with 
them, so to speak, as they might with a boy or some 
pet. The men that they really admire and respect and 
desire to marry, are those who are large and strong 
and well endowed with the masculine attributes. In 
other words, they prefer the men who can be of most 
real service to them, as protectors, supporters, and the 
fathers to their prospective children. 



142 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

EXCELLENT SEXUALITY A CHARACTERISTIC OF ALL 
HANDSOME MEN AND BEAUTIFUL WOMEN 

The indications of these masculine attributes in the 
face and form of a man, are considered handsome. And 
feminine beauty is largely composed of the indications 
of superior feminine sexuality. 

Both masculine and feminine beauty are therefore, 
to a marked degree, the products of superior reproduc- 
tive powers. In other words, a large part of physical 
beauty is an indication of superior powers of reproduc- 
tion and a strong unconscious desire to reproduce. 



CHAPTER XII 

AMATIVENESS AND ITS INFLUENCE UPON 
CHARACTER, CONDUCT, PERSONAL AP- 
PEARANCE AND POPULARITY 

THE INCENTIVE THAT INDUCES THE SEXES TO BE 
AGREEABLE AND ATTRACTIVE TO EACH OTHER 

The ability and instinctive desire to reproduce, also 
express themselves in what is called amativeness or love 
for the opposite sex. This sexual love inspires in the 
sexes a desire and an effort to be agreeable and attrac- 
tive to each other. It expresses itself in the conduct, 
manner, voice, attitude, face, gestures and personal 
appearance. 

LOCATION OP ORGAN OF THE AMATIVENESS IN THE 
BRAIN AND HOW TO ESTIMATE ITS STRENGTH 

Amativeness is a power of the mind, and it expresses 
itself through a certain part of the brain that we call 
the organ of amativeness. This part of the brain is 
the cerebellum or little brain. It is that portion of the 
brain located lowest down in the back part of the head. 



144 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

On the back of the heads of most persons, there is 
a decided protuberance of the skull that is called the 
occipital spine. It is more large and prominent in men 
and women with large bones. The cerebellum occupies 
the entire back part of the skull below this point and 
as far forward as the bony prominences immediately 
behind the ears. The size of the cerebellum is in pro- 
portion to the width of this part of the head, together 
with the distance it extends backward from the open- 
ings of the ears. Other things being equal, the love 
for the opposite sex is in proportion to the size of the 
cerebellum. 

The cerebellum is the part of the brain that is most 
intimately related to the reproductive organs and to the 
function of reproduction. It is through the cerebellum 
that the mind presides over reproduction and the repro- 
ductive organs. It is the cerebellum that generates 
the nerve power or nerve force that supplies the re- 
productive system, and it is through the cerebellum 
that the mind communicates with the organs of repro- 
duction. The cerebellum is the electric switch-board, 
so to speak, that the mind operates upon in order to 
communicate with and control the reproductive organs 
and the function of reproduction, 

Through this part of the brain, the mind receives 
reports from the reproductive system. These reports 
include all information regarding the state and needs 



AMATIVENESS 145 

of these organs. The cerebellum is therefore a sort 
of central station in the mind's telephone system. 
It is also the dynamo or electric battery that generates 
the nerve force necessary to operate, direct and control 
the reproductive system and its functions. Even the 
building and developing of the reproductive system is 
regulated through the cerebellum. 

WHY THE CEREBELLUM IS A MEASURE OF AMATIVE- 
NESS AND REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY 

The cerebellum is therefore a part of the machinery 
of reproduction. As a chain is no stronger than its 
weakest link, so is no part of the reproductive system 
any more effective than every other part. The size of 
the cerebellum is therefore an indication of the power, 
vigor and effectiveness of the reproductive system and 
its function. Consequently, the cerebellum is a measure 
of the power of reproduction and of the love for the 
opposite sex. 

CHARACTER AND DISPOSITION OF PERSONS WITH 
LARGE AMATIVENESS 

When this part of the brain is large, sexual love is 
strong and its possessor will endeavor to be agreeable 
and attractive to persons of the opposite sex. So far 
as sexuality is concerned, such persons are well quali- 
fied to be superior wives and mothers, husbands and 



146 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

fathers. These persons naturally desire to become 
parents and this natural inclination tends to render 
them so agreeable and attractive to the opposite sex, 
that they are especially popular in society and they are 
consequently among the first to be chosen as wives and 
accepted as husbands. All this is in harmony with 
Nature's plans, and it insures a greater number of child- 
ren by the men and women who are capable of produc- 
ing the best. 

STRENGTH OF AMATIVENESS INDICATED 
BY THE CHIN 

The size and state of the cerebellum, and consequent- 
ly the degree of amativeness or love for the opposite 
sex, are also indicated by certain signs in the face. A 
broad, prominent chin indicates a large and powerful 
cerebellum, and consequently, strong amativeness. A 
small, narrow, weak, retreating chin, indicates a small, 
weak, cerebellum. 

STRENGTH AND ACTIVITY OF THE AFFECTIONS 
INDICATED BY THE LIPS 

Large, full and prominent lips also indicate a large 
cerebellum and strong love for the opposite sex. Small, 
thin, pale, compressed lips, indicate a cold, distant na- 
ture — an extreme deficiency of affections. It is the red 
part of the lips to which we refer in speaking of their 



AMATIVENESS 147 

color. This color in the lips is determined by the 
amount of blood therein, and the lips are so intimately 
related to the affections, that the state of the affections 
influences the quantity of blood that centers in the lips 
and increases their color. The more active and ardent 
the affections are, the greater is the quantity of blood 
that flows into the lips and they are consequently more 
red. A dark cherry red indicates the most active, ar- 
dent and intense state of the affections. It is, however, 
the central portions of the lips that are most affected 
by amativeness. The corners of the mouth are related 
to the love of children and pets. And the portions of 
the lips between the centers and the corners of the 
mouth, are related to friendship. A mother with very 
strong and active parental love, kisses her baby with 
the corners of her lips. 

If the lips are large but pale, they indicate a strong 
affectional nature, but that it is not active at the pres- 
ent time. While lips not so large, if they are highly 
colored, indicate a less strong affectional nature, but one 
that is at the present time, very active. Very large, 
moist lips, indicate grossness and sensuality, and their 
owner should be rigidly avoided. 

STATE OF THE AFFECTIONS INDICATED BY 
BITING THE LIPS 

When the blood is crowded into the lips and thus 



148 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

increases their color, it also increases the pressure there- 
in. This produces a pleasant sensation that is often in- 
creased by pressing the lips with the fingers or some 
other object. Affectionate school girls frequently press 
their lips with a pencil or pen-holder or book. Both 
ladies and gentlemen who are very affectionate, fre- 
quently use the most convenient objects possible, and 
press their lips against their teeth. All this explains 
why affectionate people desire to kiss and be kissed. 
Affectionate persons whose affections are not active, 
will frequently converse for a long time without press- 
ing their lips. But if the conversation is turned into 
channels relative to their beaux or sweethearts or any 
other subject that excites their affections, then the 
blood will often immediately begin to gather in their 
lips in greater quantities, thus increasing the pressure 
therein, which the owner will still further increase by 
biting the lips. 

POSITION THAT THE HEAD OFTEN ASSUMES WHEN 
STRONG AFFECTIONS ARE ACTIVE 

Strong and ardent affections, when unusually active, 
will also frequently express themselves by causing the 
head to drop backwards and toward one side, so that 
the head rests upon one side of the organ of amative- 
ness. This also throws the chin upward and toward one 



AMATIVENESS 149 

side, the position that it is most likely to occupy in the 
act of kissing. 

GALLANTRY A RESULT OF STRONG AND ACTIVE 
AMATIVENESS 

Strong amativeness causes gentlemen to be gallant, 
attentive, polite and obliging to ladies. It leads them 
to be ever ready to say something appreciative, compli- 
mentary and gallant. Gentlemen with large amative- 
ness love ladies, and they desire to be loved and appre- 
ciated by them. They are therefore ever ready to say 
and do something to increase the ladies' happiness and 
comfort. It is the gentlemen with large amativeness 
who are anxious to surrender to the ladies, their seats 
in a car or ferry, and a smile of appreciation from a lady 
thus favored, is ample recompense to one of these gen- 
tlemen. 

It is these men, therefore, that most readily win the 
esteem of the ladies, and it is they that the ladies pre- 
fer for husbands and the fathers of their children. 

HOW AMATIVENESS AFFECTS THE POLITENESS AND 

GENERAL CONDUCT OF LADIES TOWARDS 

GENTLEMEN 

Amativeness exerts an equally marked influence up- 
on the conduct of ladies. It leads to the words and acts 
on the part of ladies, that win the esteem of gentlemen. 



150 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

It leads to the smiles, the compliments, politeness, win- 
ning looks and general loveliness of ladies that gentle- 
men find irresistible. Ladies with large amativeness 
are anxious to do or say something to increase the happi- 
ness and win the appreciation of gentlemen. They love 
the gentlemen and they desire to be loved and appre- 
ciated by gentlemen. They are consequently so much 
loved and admired by gentlemen, that the gentlemen 
prefer them for their wives and the mothers of their 
children. 

RELATION OP AMATIVENESS TO MUSCULAR POWER 
AND ENDURANCE 

In addition to what we have already mentioned, 
amativeness is also intimately related to muscular pow- 
er and to muscular control and endurance. The cere- 
bellum generates the nerve force by which the various 
muscles are enabled to work together in harmony and 
accomplish a desired result. Large amativeness is 
therefore essential to a superior physique. A superior 
physical man or woman with small amativeness is an 
impossibility. Sufficient nerve power to develop and 
effectually operate a fine physique, cannot be generated 
by a small cerebellum. The mind requires a large cere- 
bellum to operate upon in effecting the proper co-ordi- 
nation of the muscles of a large physical body, and it 
also requires a large cerebellum in order to maintain a 



AMAT1VENESS 151 

fund of reserve nerve power that is sufficient for pro- 
longed physical action. Therefore, every man or woman 
with a superior physique, has large amativeness. There 
is not a single exception. All athletes of every kind 
illustrate this law. The champions of all great contests 
in walking, running, jumping, swimming, lifting, boxing, 
bicycle and horseback riding, fencing, etc., are all men 
and women with large amativeness. There are no ex- 
ceptions nor can there be. A large cerebellum is abso- 
lutely essential to physical vigor, effectiveness and 
endurance. 

The endurance necessary to withstand the strain of a 
protracted and hard fought political contest, demands a 
large cerebellum. The same is true of a strenuous and 
protracted law-suit or any other severe contest. 

RELATION OF AMATIVENESS TO MENTAL GREATNESS 

Even mental greatness is largely dependent upon the 
cerebellum. The severe and protracted mental effort 
that is essential to great mental attainments, cannot be 
endured without a superior physique. And a superior 
physique cannot be built up and maintained without a 
large cerebellum. Therefore, all great lawyers, ministers, 
teachers, statesmen, physicians, merchants, actors, sing- 
ers, warriors, explorers, engineers, etc., are men and 
women endowed with well developed, healthful and 



152 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

vigorous cerebellums, together with the strong ama- 
tiveness that is associated therewith. 

The men and women who are especially prominent 
and popular, are not those with a small, contracted 
cerebellum; thin, white, compressed lips; nor a short, 
narrow, weak chin. With the deficiency of the cere- 
bellum that is indicated by such lack of development in 
these parts, a man or woman would not have the phys- 
ical strength and endurance that are necessary to do 
the work required to render a person popular. Neither 
would such persons have the disposition or instinctive 
impulses necessary to cause them to say and do the 
kind of things that render men and women popular. 

THESE LAWS ILLUSTRATED BY ALL PROMINENT 
AND POPULAR MEN AND WOMEN 

The men and women who are to-day the most suc- 
cessful and popular as the leaders in any important line 
of effort, are therefore persons that are well sexed. 
All actors and actresses, singers, public readers, imper- 
sonators, lecturers, ministers, lawyers, doctors, states- 
men and all other public speakers and leaders of all kinds, 
are men and women who are well sexed. They are men 
and women whose heads and faces, physiques, voices 
and manners show that these persons are well sexed 
and that they have a strong love for the opposite sex. 



AMATIVENESS 153 

These are the men and women who are especially desir- 
able as husbands and wives. 

The reader may attend public lectures, operas, meet- 
ings and entertainments of all kinds, where prominent 
and popular men and women may be seen, and each will 
be found to illustrate and confirm the statements that we 
nave made. There are no exceptions. There can be 
.none, and observations in private life will still further 
confirm our statements. 

AMATIVENESS AND SEXUALITY NOT ALL, BUT AN EX- 
CEEDINGLY IMPORTANT PART OF BOTH BEAUTY 
AND POPULARITY 

We do not mean to say, however, that sexuality is 
all that is required to render a person beautiful and pop- 
ular. Not by any means. But sexuality is a feature 
so very important that it is absolutely essential to both 
beauty and popularity. It is so important, that when 
it is excluded, there is not enough left in the person to 
give the qualities and powers essential to popularity. 
With sexuality eliminated, so much of the man or wo- 
man is lacking, that there is not enough left to give 
either beauty, efficiency or popularity. 

RECAPITULATION 

We find, then, that the popularity of men and wo- 
men is measured by the services that they are supposed 



154 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

to have rendered to others, or that they are expected 
to render. Sexuality increases the ability to render 
valuable services, and it is, therefore, an important 
element of success and popularity. Among the im- 
portant qualities that are developed and enhanced by 
sexuality, are physical and intellectual strength and 
endurance, and beauty of face, figure, voice, attitudes, 
gestures, movements, conversation, disposition, manners 
and conduct. 

These qualities and powers render ladies and gentle- 
men attractive, pleasing, agreeable and serviceable to 
each other. The men and women with these qualities 
best developed, are the best men and women, and they 
are the most popular with each other because best. 
And they are consequently those first chosen as hus- 
bands and wives. If there are not enough of either sex 
to mate with all those of the other sex, it is therefore 
the inferior ones that are hot mated, and who conse- 
quently will not reproduce. Their stock will therefore 
become extinct. These laws consequently insure the 
largest proportion of children by the best parents, and 
the race is being continually improved thereby. 



CHAPTER XIII 

MASTURBATION— THE PHILOSOPHY OF 
ITS EVIL RESULTS 

The word masturbation is probably derived from two 
Latin words — manus, the hand, and stupro, to ravish. 
Its literal meaning is to ravish with the hand. And the 
word is supposed to have been coined for the express 
purpose of conveying that meaning. But whether this 
is true or not, it is certain that the word has long been 
used to denote an abuse of the sexual organs that is 
accomplished by means of the hands. This abuse con- 
sists in handling, rubbing, fingering or manipulating the 
sexual organs, for the purpose of exciting the sexual 
passions and producing certain sensations. This act is 
also called self -abuse, self-indulgence, self-pollution and 
various other names. 

THE MIND AS A FACTOR IN THIS VICE 

As before indicated, the purpose of this act is to 
produce pleasurable animal sensations in the sexual 
organs. And the victims of this vice perhaps expect 
these sensations to resemble those of proper and normal 



156 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

sexual intercourse. At all events, the expectation or 
imagination is a very influential factor in this exceed- 
ingly injurious vice. As long as the imagination is 
healthful, the sexual organs may be properly bathed, or 
handled in any other way that is necessary to health and 
comfort, and no evil results will be caused thereby. But 
when the mind is filled with sensual, obscene or lascivi- 
ous thoughts, and the manipulation of the organs is for 
the very purpose of exciting passional sensations, the 
results are then very different. While the first is harm- 
less, proper and right, the latter is wrong, unnatural 
and destructive to both body and mind. The one is nec- 
essary to health. The other, destroys health. 

The proper care of the sexual organs is conducive 
to all the best interests of every boy and girl, man and 
woman. Masturbation, or any other abuse of these or- 
gans, subverts all the best interests of every one guilty 
of the practice. 

MASTURBATION SLOW BUT CERTAIN SUICIDE 

Masturbation is, in fact, one method of committing 
suicide. It is a method that is slow, gradual and in- 
sidious, but absolutely certain. There is no escape from 
its deadly effects. Every time the act is performed, it 
saps a part of the life forces. And its frequent and 
continued repetition will eventually destroy the victim's 
life entirely. During this process of gradual self-de- 



MASTURBATION 157 

struction, the powers of mind and body slowly decrease 
and wither. One after another wanes to nothingness 
and disappears. Eventually there is nothing left but a 
most miserable wreck that is soon completely destroyed, 
and death closes the scene. 

INJURIOUS INFLUENCE OP MASTURBATOR'S 
MENTAL ATTITUDES 

One of the important reasons why masturbation is 
so very disastrous, may be explained as follows: The 
action of the mind that induces and consummates the 
act of masturbation, is unfavorable to health and vigor, 
and is directly opposite to the mental attitudes that 
build up reproductive powers. Masturbation is destruc- 
tive; the desire to reproduce, constructive. 

As we have already noted in previous chapters, the 
instinctive desire to reproduce, includes, or is accom- 
panied by, the instinctive desire to produce the best 
offspring possible. This desire to produce the best off- 
spring possible, guides, directs and influences the mind 
in a way that is favorable to all the best interests of 
the individual. It not only develops superiority in the 
organs most intimately related to reproduction, but it 
also develops all those mental and physical qualities that 
tend to render the work of reproduction, the greatest 
possible success. These qualities include those attri- 



158 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

ftutes that render a person attractive to and popular 
with the opposite sex. 

MASTURBATION DESTRUCTIVE TO ALL THAT 
SEXUALITY BUILDS 

Masturbation, on the other hand, has no object in 
view except personal, sensual gratification. This de- 
velops no qualities that are of any use to anybody. 
It develops no qualities that are even pleasing to any- 
body. It does not even develop qualities that are of 
any service to the victim. Every quality developed by 
this vice, is against the interests of the victim, and is 
of no possible service to anybody else, except as an 
example of the disgusting results that the habit pro- 
duces. 

As the vice is practiced in secret, and does not re- 
quire the co-operation of a second person, there is no 
object in developing those qualities that would render 
the victim attractive to and popular with, others. The 
mind, therefore, so far as influenced by this habit, does 
not direct the life forces in a way that will develop such 
qualities. On the contrary, the influence of this vice 
is to destroy whatever of such qualities the victim may 
have already possessed. 

So far as this vice is concerned, the male has no use 
for those qualities that give the ability to compete with 
other males in the physical encounters often necessary 



MASTURBATION 159 

to reproduction. The object of this vice is not repro- 
duction. And the qualities that give superior success in 
reproduction, are of no service in the perpetration of 
this act. The influence of the act, therefore, is to 
destroy and not to develop such qualities. 

The female does not need, in the practice of this 
vice, the qualities that are distinctively the result of 
feminity, and the mind does not develop them. And 
whatever may have been possessed at the beginning of 
the habit, even they will retrograde and disappear under 
the blasting influence of this vice. 

EFFECTS SIMILAR TO THOSE PRODUCED BY 
CASTRATION 

The results produced by castration illustrate these 
principles. An animal that is thus deprived of the abil- 
ity to reproduce, does not continue to develop those 
qualities and powers that assist in the work of repro- 
duction. On the contrary, the animal develops those 
qualities only that are of service to it in its changed 
condition. Masturbation exerts an influence upon a boy 
or girl that is similar to castration. There is one im- 
portant difference, however. Castration totally unsexes 
an animal at once. Masturbation is a slow, gradual 
unsexing. Castration immediately and radically changes 
the action of the mind. Masturbation produces a rad- 
ical change, but the change is effected in a manner so 



160 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

gradual and insidious that the victim does not realize 
the change until it is well advanced. The results, how- 
ever, are quite similar and equally disastrous. The 
qualities that are given by superb sexuality, are all slowly 
destroyed, and gradually, one after another, disappear. 

DESTRUCTIVE TO SEXUALITY 

As the only object of masturbation is the self-grat- 
ification of sensuality, the mental states that are asso- 
ciated with the act, tend to develop only such qualities 
and organs as will contribute to this end. The mind 
does not, therefore, even develop the reproductive or- 
gans. It is only a part of the machinery of reproduc- 
tion that is directly involved in the act, and it is only 
the parts involved that the vice influences the mind to 
develop. Other parts retrograde, because the mental 
stimulus is withdrawn therefrom, and they consequently 
decrease in size and power. The one object of this act 
is to excite the nerves of sensation within the sexual 
organs and to produce pleasurable sensations thereby. 

NERVOUS WRECK 

If our reasoning throughout this work has been cor- 
rect, it must necessarily follow that masturbation will 
result in an increased excitability of these nerves of 
sensation. This excitability will become greater and 
greater, and all organs and powers that do not contrib- 



MASTURBATION 161 

ute thereto, will become weaker and weaker as the 
perpetration of this act continues. The excitability and 
irritability of these nerves of sensation in the sexual 
organs, will therefore become intensely acute, and every 
other department of body and mind will gradually 
become weaker and weaker, until the victim will event- 
ually become a mere wreck, with such an intense irrita- 
bility of the sexual organs, that there will be an almost 
constant desire for self -defilement. 

These, as before stated, are the conclusions to which 
our reasoning naturally leads. And these conditions 
are exactly what observation proves to be the results 
produced by this unnatural act. 

Masturbation destroys all sexual attributes except 
t he excitability of the nerves of sensation in the sexual 
organs, and the qualities or powers that contribute there- 
to. And this excitability develops into an intense irri- 
tability that is even more destructive to everything 
good, than a weakness or even a paralysis of those 
nerves could possibly be 

THE ACT ABSOLUTELY UNNATURAL AND 
SELF-DESTROYING 

This act is, therefore, absolutely unnatural, and is ul- 
timately destructive to every physical and mental power. 
Sexual vigor and efficiency are no exceptions. Sexual- 
ity, in fact, is one of the very first qualities to be blighted, 



162 PLAIN TALK YOUNG TO WOMEN 

and the ability to reproduce is in time totally destroyed. 
Of course a single act does not cause all of these 
wrongs. Nor do a dozen acts nor even many more. 
But every act contributes to the final result, and if the 
vice is continued, it will eventually produce all the dis- 
gusting conditions to which we have already alluded, 
besides innumerable distressing symptoms that have 
not been mentioned. 

ENSLAVEMENT OP ITS VICTIM 

One of the deplorable results of this vice, is the en- 
slavement of its victims. When the habit is acquired, 
it is very difficult to throw it off. When a person begins 
this vice, it is hard to stop. And the longer the vice 
is continued, the more difficult its cessation becomes. 
And every time the act is repeated, it increases the 
tightness of the entwining coils of habit. Every repe- 
tition of the act increases the hopelessness of the victim's 
slavery. Freedom is purchased only by a discontinu- 
ance of the act. And the discontinuance is very diffi- 
cult. If the habit has been long established, there is 
an almost irresistible impulse to repeat the act. And 
every repetition binds the victim still more closely. 
The only possible chance of relief lies in stopping the 
practice. And it is almost impossible to stop. 



MASTURBATION 163 

ABNORMAL EXCITABILITY 

The abnormal action of the mind associated with 
this habit, causes the vital forces to center in the sex- 
ual organs. This, together with abnormal passion, 
causes uneasy, discomf ortable and irritable sensations 
therein. These sensations lead to an almost irresisti- 
ble impulse to handle, rub or scratch the organs. If 
the victim yields to this impulse, the passions are al- 
most sure to become still more excited, and further re- 
sistance is even more difficult. Handling the organs 
often increases their abnormal sensations, and these re- 
act upon the mind and cause lewd thoughts and desires, 
which still further augment the passions and the un- 
natural sensations in the sexual organs. 

The mind and the irritable sexual organs thus con- 
tinue to act and react upon each other, and the victim 
becomes a most deplorable, helpless and pitiable slave. 
Almost too disgusting to excite sympathy, yet most 
sadly in need of the assistance of a strong, well balanced 
mind and a kind heart. 

DRIFTING TOWARDS CERTAIN DESTRUCTION 

A person beginning this destructive vice, might be 
compared to a swimmer floating in the stream a consider- 
able distance above Niagara Falls. At the beginning it 
would be quite easy to regain the shore. But if the 



164 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

poor deluded victim continues to drift towards the falls, 
it soon becomes very difficult to return or to reach the 
land. If he continues, inevitable destruction awaits him. 
To regain the shore is very difficult. But it must be 
reached, or he will be carried to certain destruction. 
And the longer he drifts, the more difficult it becomes 
to avert the impending calamity. It requires a firm 
resolve and a strong and continued effort. 

LOSS OP WILL POWER 

But the victim of masturbation has lost will power 
together with all other powers. A firm resolve and a 
strong determined action are among the things that are 
exceedingly difficult to the masturbator. And if the 
vice is sufficiently well established, this will power is 
almost entirely lost. The vice must stop or insanity and 
death will result. But to stop is almost impossible. 

THE VICTIM USUALLY NOT THE ONE MOST 
CENSURABLE 

The condition of such a person is indeed pitiable. 
And it becomes doubly pitiable when we consider that 
the victim is usually not the one who is most to blame. 
Little boys and girls often begin this habit in mere 
infancy, because the sexual organs are not kept clean, 
and the uncleanliness causes an itching and irritation 
that leads the little ones to rub and scratch the organs 



MASTURBATION 165 

in endeavoring to obtain relief. This often leads to the 
habit of manipulating the organs for the very purpose 
of producing sensations therein. 

BAD ASSOCIATES 

Thousands of other boys and girls are taught the 
vice by older boys and girls and by servants and other 
irresponsible adults. In all such cases they fall more 
readily because their parents or guardians have left 
them unprotected by proper instruction. We think that 
in all such cases the parents and guardians are the ones 
who have done the greatest wrong, morally, and who 
are really the most to blame. We will venture the 
assertion that the cases in which this habit is acquired 
after ample instructions, are very rare indeed. And if 
there are any, it is because the victims have inherited 
passions that are practically ungovernable, and it is cer- 
tainly the parents and not the victims who are most 
responsible for that. But so far as results are concerned, 
it matters not who is to blame, it is the victim that pays 
the penalty. 

KNOWLEDGE A SAFE-GUARD 

We believe that most boys and girls have consider- 
able common sense, and that they will usually endeav- 
or to do whatever they can understand to be to their best 



166 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

interests. And that so far as masturbation is con- 
cerned, those that err, most frequently do so through 
inherited tendencies or else in ignorance of the results. 
We believe that it is to the best interests of every- 
body, to make the environments of all humanity, and 
especially of boys and girls, such that the influences will 
all tend upward. And that in the absence of such en- 
vironments, the only safety to our boys and girls, lies 
in proper instruction. To withhold that instruction, 
under the circumstances that exist to-day, is abject 
cruelty to the average boy or girl. 



CHAPTER XIV 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT EXPOSE THE 
MASTURBATOR'S GUILT 

CONGESTION IN THE SEXUAL ORGANS 

A direct result of the act of masturbation and of 
the mental states associated therewith, is to cause an 
abnormal quantity of blood to center in the sexual 
organs. This congestion of blood is one of the imme- 
diate causes of the abnormal sensitiveness and irritation 
that has already been described. The abnormal quan- 
tity of blood thus crowded into these parts, causes a 
feverish condition therein, and it distends and stretches 
the walls of the blood vessels and thus causes the blood 
vessels to unduly press upon the nerves. 

This congested, feverish condition, and the pressure 
upon the nerves, augment their irritability and sensi- 
tiveness and thus assist to intensify the conditions pre- 
viously mentioned. And besides the congestion of blood, 
the act of masturbation and the mental states with 
which it is associated, also destroy the equilibrium of 
the body's nerve force, diverting the nerve currents 



168 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

from their usual channels and causing an abnormal 
quantity of nerve force to center in the sexual organs. 



CONDITION OF SEXUAL ORGANS 

Thus, the act itself, and the mental states associated 
therewith, together with the congestion of blood and 
nerve force produced thereby, all combine to augment 
the uneasy, sensitive, feverish, uncomfortable and irri- 
table condition of the masturbator's sexual organs. 

THE BRAIN AND ALL OTHER PARTS OF BODY, 
IMPOVERISHED 

But this is not all. The congestion of blood and 
nerve force not only produce the effects that we have 
explained, but all other parts of the body and brain are 
robbed of their just proportions of blood and nerve 
force in order to effect this congestion. All other parts 
of body and brain are therefore depleted and weakened 
because they are insufficiently supplied with blood and 
nerve force, and the sexual system is congested and 
injured because it is crowded with an excess that can- 
not be utilized. 

WEAK AND SICKLY DESTROYED MOST QUICKLY 

The most vigorous and able-bodied men and women 
could not resist the injurious consequences of this de- 



SIGNS OF MASTURBATORS GUILT 169 

bilitating folly. But those who are already weak and 
sickly, would of course, be more quickly destroyed. The 
vice is, therefore, especially injurious to a boy or girl, 
because the immaturity of childhood, leaves them more 
weak and unable to withstand any drain upon the sys- 
tem. Even a limited practice of this vice is consequently 
very injurious to them. 

DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANS, PREVENTED 

And there is also another reason why it is especial- 
ly injurious during childhood. At that time the various 
organs of the body are undeveloped, and this abuse will 
prevent them from ever developing so well as they oth- 
erwise would. Even if the habit is abandoned later in 
life, such persons cannot acquire the superiority that 
was once possible, because the proper time for such 
development is then past. 



POSSESSION 

A gradual loss of those qualities that render the 
sexes agreeable and attractive to each other, are among 
the prominent signs of the masturbator's guilt. This is 
shown in a timidity of the sexes when in the presence of 
each other. There is a lack of confidence and self-pos- 



170 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

session which render the victims unable to look people 
honestly in the face, and in various other ways. This 
is more noticeable in the males. In the female it might 
be mistaken for real feminine modesty. It appears 
very different, however, when closely observed. 

But there is no occasion to mistake these signs in 
the male. As the vice continues, it destroys the cour- 
age, self-reliance, hope, assurance, inclination to action 
and aggression that are well marked characteristics of 
the well sexed male. 

AVOID AND SHRINK FROM OPPOSITE SEX 

Boys and young men who are victims of this secret 
vice, avoid society and shrink from the presence of peo- 
ple in general. But they are especially afraid of girls 
and women. If forced to come into the presence of 
ladies, they dare not look at them. If they must talk 
to the ladies, they direct their gaze towards the floor 
or to one side. 

The effect upon the female is marked but less no- 
ticeable, because of her natural modesty. But the 
shrinking away from the opposite sex and the inability 
to act in a manner that would render her agreeable 
and attractive to the opposite sex, are very different 
from genuine feminine modesty, and need not be mis- 
taken. 



SIGNS OF MASTURBATORS GUILT 171 

DESTRUCTION OF QUALITIES THAT RENDER THE 
SEXES ATTRACTIVE TO EACH OTHER 

As the only object of masturbation is the gratifica- 
tion of self, the entire action of the mind and all the 
effects of the act, tend to destroy those qualities that 
render the sexes mutually attractive and agreeable to 
each other. As this self -pollution continues, those at- 
tractive qualities given by sexuality, gradually wane and 
disappear, and the victim becomes absolutely repellent 
to a pure person of the opposite sex. 

EXTREME DEBILITY 

Health is slowly undermined and the victim gradu- 
ally becomes an invalid. There is a wasting away of 
the entire body and a progressing deterioration of 
every part and tissue. The muscles become weak and 
relaxed; the motions of the body are feeble and irreso- 
lute; the gait is weak and undecided; the chest is fre- 
quently bent forward and the head and shoulders 
drooped; the knees become weak and tottering; a gen- 
eral and extreme debility gradually ensues. 

PIMPLES UPON THE FACE 

Pimples appear upon the forehead, chin and near 
the nose, and sometimes upon the entire face. 



172 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

NERVES OF SENSATION BLUNTED 

The nervous system is impaired and debilitated; the 
sense of touch becomes obtuse and less discriminating; 
taste is blunted and perverted and the victim loses an 
appetite for wholesome and nourishing foods and 
craves stimulants; the sense of smell loses its discrim- 
inating powers and but faintly perceives even those 
delightful odors breathed forth by nature and adding 
to the pleasure of all normal persons; the ear grows 
dull, hearing becomes indistinct, and there is a 
decrease in the capacity to derive pleasure from music, 
the songs of birds, the hum of insects and all those 
delightful sounds common to Nature's happier moods. 
Instead, there is often a constant ringing in the ears 
suggestive of what is and what might have been. 

BRAIN DULL AND DEADENED 

The brain becomes impaired, deadened and dull; 
the blood therein ceases to be normally distributed, and 
becomes congested, at times, in various parts, resulting 
in aches, pains, heaviness and uncomfortable, distressed 
feelings. 

MIND UNRESPONSIVE, WEAK, DEJECTED, 
MELANCHOLY 

The mind becomes unresponsive, weak, feeble and 
■dull; any systematic application to study is extremely 



SIGNS OF MASTURBATORS GUILT 173 

irksome and exhausting, and eventually it becomes 
impossible; mental energy and elasticity gradually 
decline, and by imperceptible degrees the mind be- 
comes utterly fickle, weak and feeble; the power of 
application, perception and reason, continually diminish, 
and memory slowly decays. As a result of this pro- 
gressive decadence, the victim early experiences an 
occasional dejection of spirits, which is gradually 
replaced by an habitual depression, and then a deeper 
gloom. Eventually a cheerless melancholy gathers in. 
permanent darkness over the shattered mind. 

SLEEP UNREFRESHING 

Sleep gradually ceases to be sound, sweet and 
refreshing, and becomes restless, disturbed, broken and 
full of obscene and distressing dreams. 

SELF-REPROACH, REMORSE, AND MISERY 
UNSPEAKABLE 

The mind of the self-afflicted sufferer is filled with 
self -contempt, disgust and reproach; there is no relish 
for the ordinary amusements and pleasures of life, and 
no enjoyment of society; the mind is continually tor- 
mented with vague anxiety and fear, and is constantly 
full of disquietude, anguish and dread; the victim sighs 
and weeps; tears flow without any definite apprehension 



174 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

of their cause; remorse, despair and misery unspeaka- 
ble are a direct result of this self-destroying vice. 

INSANITY 

Reason is frequently dethroned and insanity usurps 
its place; and the vice is usually not discontinued even 
then; the victim seems to be even more relentlessly 
driven to repeat the act, and the most watchful care of 
the attendants often fails to prevent it. Hand-cuffs and 
devices of various kinds have been used to restrain the 
victim from repeating the act, but even these severe 
measures are only partially successful. 

Among the unfortunate inmates of our lunatic 
asylums, none are more incorrigible, nor more utterly 
incurable, than the deluded victims of this wretched 
vice. The deceit and cunning so common to insane 
persons, is craftily exercised in devising means and 
securing opportunities to elude the vigilance of the 
keepers and indulge the tyrant lust. 

LOSS OF TONE IN ALL PARTS OF BODY 

Heart, lungs, blood-vessels, liver, stomach, intes- 
tines, kidneys, skin, and all other organs and tissues of 
the body, lose their tone and become weak, feeble, dis- 
eased and utterly incapable of properly performing 
their functions. There is not an organ, part, tissue or 



SIGNS OF MASTURBATORS GUILT 175 

faculty of the entire body or mind that escapes. There 
is not a spot in the entire body that feels strong, vigor- 
ous and comfortable. 

LESS ABILITY TO RESIST COLD AND ALL 
EPIDEMICS 

Each victim suffers in proportion to the original 
lack of strength, health, vitality and vigor, the fre- 
quency of the act, and the length of time that the habit 
has continued. Even in those cases in which the habit 
has been of short duration and the act infrequent, there 
is some impairment of the constitution. Even then 
the offender is more easily and more powerfully affected 
by those causes which disturb and depress vitality. 
There is less ability to endure fatigue, heat, cold, sud- 
den changes of temperature, etc- There is greater 
liability to colds and all epidemics; digestion is more 
easily disordered and deranged; dyspepsia, consumption, 
rheumatism, nervous disorders and all chronic diseases 
are less readily resisted; and whenever tired, depressed 
in health or slightly sick, there is a stronger tendency 
to depression of spirits, melancholy and despair. 

STILL HOPE FOR ALL WHO CAN STOP, NOW 

Dark and dismal as this picture is, there is still 
hope for all offenders who can and will stop, now, and 



176 PLAIN TALK YOUNG TO WOMEN 

who will abandon the vice forever. All such need not 
be discouraged. The fact that there is the ability to 
stop, is positive evidence that an improvement and cure 
are possible. If too much injury has been done, it will 
be impossible for the patient to ever acquire the supe- 
riority that was once within reach. But the retrograde 
movement may be stopped and the journey toward 
better health and more vigor may be commenced by the 
adoption of proper remedial measures. 

An immediate and complete repair, however, is im- 
possible. It is only by slow and imperceptible degrees 
that a cure is accomplished. The cure is a gradual 
building process. But with patience and persever- 
ance in the use of proper remedial measures, the 
strength, vigor, vitality, efficiency and health will be 
slowly built up. And although the fine form, superior 
physical powers and intellectual superiority that were 
once possible, may never be fully acquired, neverthe- 
less, good health and excellent abilities are within the 
reach of all those who will permanently abandon the 
vice. 



CHAPTER XV 

SEXUAL EXCESSES— CHASTITY— MARRIAGE 

Even the normal and proper action of the sexual 
system, becomes abnormal and injurious when excessive. 
While marriage, sexual intercourse, fatherhood and 
motherhood, are conducive to many of the highest and 
noblest qualities of mankind, they are, nevertheless, also 
destructive. And even sexual intercourse that does 
not result in offspring, if too frequently repeated, 
will gradually exhaust both the physical and mental 
powers. 

It does not have the same disastrous effects upon 
the mind as the effects produced by masturbation. It 
does not obliterate the masculine and feminine charac- 
teristics, but it does exhaust the physical powers, and 
thus detracts from the ability to perform either physi- 
cal or mental work. And if it becomes greatly exces- 
sive, the physical powers are so much reduced that there 
is only weakness and inefficiency. 

GREATER LIABILITY TO DISEASE 

And in this weakened condition, there is much 
greater liability to diseases of all kinds. There is not 



178 PLAIX TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

sufficient strength and vitality to resist disease, and 
persons thus reduced in strength, vigor and vitality, are 
very frequently the victims of colds and any epidemic 
that may be prevalent, besides chronic diseases of vari- 
ous kinds. Such persons frequently sicken and die, 
when they could readily have resisted the disease that 
.afflicted them, if their powers had not been reduced. 

MOTHERHOOD 

^Motherhood is one of the highest, noblest and most 
important missions of woman. But excessive child 
bearing, leaves neither time nor the mental and physi- 
cal power to accomplish other things equally import- 
ant. The children born are necessarily inferior, be- 
cause the mother's strength and vitality are not suffi- 
cient to produce superior babies. And the mother is 
quite likely to lose her life either in gestation or child- 
birth, or by some disease that her weakened and re- 
duced condition prevents her from successfully resist- 
ing. Either continence or moderation in the use of 
the sexual system, is therefore absolutely essential to 
mentality and physical power and effectiveness. And 
a moderate exercise of the maternal function, is abso- 
lutely essential to the production of superior children.* 



*For further information regarding sexual excesses, see 
'•'The Doctor's Plain Talk to Young Men," by the author. 



SEXUAL EXCESSES 179 

CHASTITY 

Another thing, that is absolutely essential to the 
production of the best children, is the proper protec- 
tion of their mother during gestation and the nursing 
period. During the time she carries her babies within 
her womb and nourishes -them by her own blood, and 
also during the time she nourishes them from her 
breast, a mother needs assistance and protection. Dur- 
ing this period she is dividing her time and her strength 
with her babes. She is, in fact, dividing her veiy life 
with them. She is therefore, very poorly prepared or 
qualified to battle with the world and protect and pro- 
vide for herself and babies. During this time some- 
body must protect the mother and provide for her 
wants and also those of her young children. 

OBLIGATION OF HUSBAND 

Nobody is under greater obligation to her. at this 
time, than the father of her babies. Nobody else has 
equal interest in her welfare and that of her children. 
The babies are his as well as hers, and everysense I 
kindness, sympathy and justice demands that he shall 
assist in their support and in furthering their interests 
m eveiy way. It is more convenient and economical 
for the mother to look after the immediate details in 
the care of the family, and for the father of the babes 



180 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

to afford protection for them and their mother and to 
supply whatever is required for their sustenance, cloth- 
ing, shelter, education, etc. 

CERTAINTY REGARDING WHO IS A BABY'S FATHER, 
INSURED ONLY BY WIFE'S CHASTITY 

But no man is under any especial obligation to the 
babies of any other man, nor to their mother. And it 
is the right of every man to be reasonably certain that 
the babies he thus supports, protects and provides for, 
are surely his, and that the woman he thus supports, is 
surely the mother of his babies instead of those of 
another man. All this can be insured only by chastity 
on the part of his wife. Of course she has equal rights. 
But if she has been chaste, there can be no question in 
her mind in regard to who is the father of her babies. 
It is impossible for any other man to be their father so 
long as she is true to her husband. It is practically 
impossible for any other man to be the father of her 
babies without her knowing that there had been such 
an opportunity. 

But such is not the case with the husband. He 
might be perfectly true, and yet every baby that his 
wife should bear, might be the offspring of another 
man, and the husband might forever be ignorant of the 
fact. His only safety, therefore, is in the chastity of 



SEXUAL EXCESSES 181 

his wife. And his only assurance, is his confidence in 
her and the evidence of her chastity. 

THE WORLD'S ESTIMATE OF CHASTITY 

Any deviation from chastity on the part of either 
husband or wife, is a great wrong to the other. Every- 
body seems to instinctively feel and understand this 
fact, and the injured party is more or less excused for 
almost any retaliation no matter how severe. Even a 
murder is partly excused when the cause of the crime is 
infidelity to the marriage vows. Our laws and customs 
demand that a man shall have but one wife; and a 
woman, but one husband; and that each shall be true to 
the other. And any deviation from this is considered 
so great a wrong, that the injured party is at least 
partially excused for any crime that may be committed 
in the heat of passion resulting from a knowledge of 
such wrongs. In all civilized nations, the wrong is 
considered so great, that the wronged party is entitled 
to separation and divorce. 

The rights of both parties can be protected only 
when each is true to the other. And any deviation 
from this course is liable to result in contentions, 
troubles and crimes cf the most dire and disastrous 
kinds. Society, without this chastity, would be in a 
continual turmoil, and all our domestic relations would 
be exceedingly unstable and unreliable. Children would 



182 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

be left unprotected and the parents of many would be 
unknownt This uncertainty regarding parentage would 
result in endless contentions and law-suits regarding 
the inheritance of property. 

A girl's crowning virtue 

As a safeguard to chastity in marriage, prudence 
demands chastity before marriage. So important is 
this considered, that chastity on the part of a girl, is 
considered her greatest virtue. If she has not been 
chaste before marriage, people seem to instinctively 
feel that there is less assurance that she will be chaste 
after marriage. 

A DOUBLE STANDARD OP MORALS AND THE 
REASONS THEREFOR 

Society demands more of a girl in this respect than 
of a young man. Many think, unjustly, but there are 
reasons therefor. And while we have no disposition to 
excuse young men for any of their wrongs, it does not 
seem wise to disregard certain facts. 

The fact that a man has become a father, does not 
in most respects, detract from his ability to become the 
father of other children, and to protect and support 
them and their mother. However he may have been 
affected morally, by the act, his physical injury, if any, 
is imperceptible. 



SEXUAL EXCESSES 183 

UNWEDDED MOTHERHOOD 

But this is not true of a girl. She cannot carry a 
babe within her womb for nine months, and then give 
it birth, and nurse and care for it for a much longer 
time, and still be as well prepared to be the wife of 
another man and to bear and care for his babies. She 
is the proper one to care for her first babe. And even 
if its own father supports it, she has not as much time, 
vitality, vigor and strength to bestow upon another 
man and his babies, as would have been possible if she 
had been chaste before marriage. 

THE FATHER SUFFERS ONLY IN MORALS 

The young man has suffered only from a moral 
point of view. And if he supports the babe, or both 
the babe and its mother, he suffers, in addition to mor- 
als, only in the cost of such support, and the time and 
labor demanded therefor. And he can escape these 
burdens unless the mother is assisted by the laws and 
those who enforce them. But there is no escape of 
any kind for the girl. When she becomes pregnant, 
she cannot shift the burden of carrying the babe, to 
the husband nor to any one else. Her escape is impos- 
sible. She must herself bear the burden, no matter 
how devoid of morals. 

The disadvantages of pregnancy and childbirth are 



184 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

so great to her, independent of morals, that few men 
would desire her for a wife. But independent of moral 
considerations, the disadvantages of fatherhood, are 
to a young man, so slight, that he is not disqualified 
for a husband, and if he is desirable in other respects, 
many may still wish to marry him. Not being disqual- 
ified for a husband, except morally, he is still welcomed 
into society. But it is not so with the girl who has 
become a mother. Her disqualification is so great that 
she is not desirable as a wife. And other ladies hope 
to gain favor by shunning, exposing and still further 
injuring this unfortunate one. 

THE ONLY SAFE COURSE 

Now, we have no disposition to excuse nor condone 
this state of affairs. But being fully assured of its 
existence, we deem it the part of wisdom to recognize 
the facts, make them plain to our readers, and urge, 
that no matter how wrong may be the conduct of some 
men, and no matter how unkind and unjust society may 
be, it is better to realize and understand the facts and 
to act accordingly. 

Whether right or wrong, no unmarried girl can 
afford to assume the risk of deviating from the path of 
chastity. The danger is too imminent, and the results 
of unwedded motherhood, are too extremely disastrous 



SEXUAL EXCESSES 185 

and destructive to all earthly prospects. The risk of 
sexual intercourse cannot be safely assumed under the 
promise of marriage, an engagement nor even on the 
eve of a wedding. Even then, sudden sickness, an acci- 
dent or some other cause might delay or prevent the 
wedding. 

Marriage is instituted for the protection of husband 
and wife and offspring. And it is only in marriage that 
reproduction or the act that may result in reproduction, 
is wise. Marriage is a notice to the world that the par- 
ties have entered into this relation and that each agrees 
to assume the cares and responsibilities of reproduction, 
as well as the pleasures that may be connected there- 
with. 

WHAT COMMON SENSE DEMANDS 

Entirely independent of morality and religion, the 
great laws of Nature and the demands of society, offer 
sufficient rewards and punishments to induce any sensi- 
ble and well informed girl to duly value her chastity. 
Common sense will lead her to choose the path of safety 
and her own best interests. And this path leads to 
chastity. If she does not take this path and avoid troub- 
le, her partner in the mistake, after it is too late for 
her to save herself, is very liable to do what seems to 
lim to be to his own best interests, and leave her 
to bear her troubles as she may. 



186 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

A very large proportion of men and women seem to 
be so constituted that they are blind to everything that 
does not appear to them to be to their best interests. 
This characteristic is so very strong and influential that 
they will often devise some kind of an excuse to justify 
them in doing whatever they wish. They will often err 
and still justify or excuse themselves. And no matter 
how great might be the obligation of such a man to a 
woman, he would leave her to ruin if he thought it 
would further his own interests to do so. As it would 
be impossible for most women to detect this character- 
istic in a man, their only safety lies in continually keep- 
ing on the safe side. 

PRUDENCE 

Even though a woman may yield only upon the most 
earnest solicitation, and with no desire on her part, 
the results are still the same. And even though the one 
to whom she has yeilded, may be ever so kind and just 
and conscientious, and may fully intend to protect her 
and to make her his wife, still the chances of trouble 
are too great for the act to be prudent. No ordinarily 
prudent business man would assume any such risk in 
regard to a business transaction. 

DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN CHARACTER 

There are many people that do not even understand 



SEXUAL EXCESSES 187 

themselves. They often do entirely different from 
what they had intended to do or had even expected that 
they ever could do. There is something in the charac- 
ter of many men that leads them to prefer for a wife, 
a woman that has never submitted to coition until after 
the marriage ceremony = And even though she yields 
to such a man, and to him only, and in response to his 
most earnest and persistent solicitation, nevertheless, a 
woman is liable to be discarded for another when this 
man actually marries. No matter how kind and how 
sympathetic and utterly unselfish she may have been, 
and that her act was entirely for him and without any 
desire whatever on her part, nevertheless, such a man 
instinctively feels that she should not have consented. 
And while he may not understand it himself, he loses 
his former respect, regard and appreciation for her, 
and prefers another for his wife. 

One of the reasons for this, may be the fact that 
prudence is one of the important qualities of a good 
wife and mother, and it is very imprudent to take such 
a risk. At all events, such a man will often try and 
frequently succeed in finding an excuse that he thinks 
justifies him in discarding the woman who has risked 
her all for him, and sometimes, when it means the ab- 
solute ruin of her. 

Of course all men do not have such a character. 
But manv of them do, and thev are often totallv un- 



188 PLAIN TALK YOUNG TO WOMEN 

aware of the fact until they are actually tested. Safety, 
therefore, lies only in abstaining until after the mar- 
riage. 

AN INJUSTICE TO MEN 

There is, however, one injustice done regarding the 
men. An injustice that can perhaps be better righted 
by being better understood. We refer to the injustice 
of practically accusing men of intentionally ruining 
women. When a man and woman have been indiscreet 
and pregnancy and childbirth result, it is quite com- 
mon to hear people speak of the fact, as the man hav- 
ing ruined the woman. And they often speak of it as 
though the man alone is to blame, and that the ruin of 
the woman was his real object in the wrong committed. 

This is by no means a fair explanation of the mat- 
ter. This is not the intention of the man. His object 
in the act is sexual gratification. The ruining of the 
woman most likely never entered his mind. He fre- 
quently forgets what the result might be. And if he 
does think of results, he hopes for the best. And 
when disaster follows, unless he is exceptionally selfish, 
cold and heartless, he greatly deplores the fact and 
would gladly undo the wrong. And unless he thinks 
that his own interests would be defeated, he would 
gladly do what he could to reinstate her. He sympa- 
thizes with her and he greatly regrets their indiscretion. 



SEXUAL EXCESSES 189 

But unless he is familiar with gestation, childbirth and 
motherhood, he does not fully realize how very great 
was their indiscretion, nor how great the woman's suf- 
fering and the disaster to her. 

INJUSTICE TO WOMEN 

It is also an injustice to herself for a woman to 
take this view of the matter. It often leads her to 
excuse herself and to conclude that the man is the only 
one that is really to blame. That it was all his fault 
and that she is the only one that really suffers. 

A MORE SENSIBLE VIEW 

There is a much more just and sensible view of the 
matter. And that is, that they are usually both about 
equally to blame. And while the woman may be en- 
tirely ruined, nothing was farther from the real inten- 
tion of the man. Of course there are exceptions. But 
usually, their sinning is about equal, and both hope for 
the best, if results are considered at all. 

The whole influence of sexuality and sexual passion 
is to make the male brave, bold, courageous, aggres- 
sive, persistent and positive. Equal sexuality and sex- 
ual passion on the part of the female, renders her as 
decidedly receptive, yielding, responsive and negative. 



190 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

The male gives, the female receives. The male 
pursues, the female delights to be pursued. The 
female sometimes seeks the male, but it is only to give 
her an opportunity to enjoy his positive and aggressive 
manner toward her. Soon as they meet, she assumes 
a passive, receptive manner. 

PICNICS, SOCIALS AND PARTIES 

Girls delight to struggle and tussle with boys and 
men for the very purpose of experiencing and enjoy- 
ing the strength, aggressiveness, power and masterful- 
ness of the man. And men equally enjoy the exhibi- 
tion of their superior physical strength and masterful- 
ness. They delight to control and defeat the girls, but 
gallantly and considerately and with the pretense of a 
genuine struggle. Many of the games that are 
indulged in at picnics, socials and parties are for the 
very purpose of gratifying these natural desires of 
both the girls and. young men. 

SCHOOL GIRLS AND BOYS 

School girls often delight in teasing the boys, and 
they sometimes run off with their hats simply to get 
the boys to run after them, or to otherwise manifest a 
positive, aggressive attitude toward them. If the boys 
decline to run after them and to apparently struggle 
with them, the sport soon loses its charms for the girls 



SEXUAL EXCESSES 191 

and they feel neglected, annoyed, and often, indignant. 
They really have a contempt for the goody, goody boys 
who are submissive and deficient in manly courage, 
positiveness and aggressiveness. 

PASSION 

In sexual passion these conditions are all greatly 
intensified. The male is more aggressive and the female, 
more yielding. But the male does not necessarily "take 
advantage" of the female. There is no advantage to 
be taken. He is as nearly helpless as she. The woman 
is often disposed to think and to say that the man "got 
the advantage " of her, and to offer this as a partial 
excuse for her own conduct. But it would often be 
just as near correct to speak of the woman taking 
advantage of the man. Her negative, receptive, sub- 
missive manner towards him, is an invitation just as 
hard for him to resist, as his aggressive solicitations 
are hard for her to resist. The safety of both is in 
avoiding the conditions that render resistance difficult. 

A physician's experience 

In our experience as a physician, we have been 
brought face to face with facts that absolutely disprove 
what unfortunate women have often claimed as an 
excuse for their conduct. Of course there are excep- 
tions. There are cases in which the man is the one 



192 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

most at fault, and others in which the blame is nearly 
all his. And there are others in which the woman is 
the one most responsible. But in the majority of 
cases, there is but little difference. And women will 
be safer to recognize this fact and to act accordingly. 

SECRET THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS 

A man seldom solicits a woman to yield her virtue 
unless he thinks that she is disposed to encourage his 
advances. And women will be much more secure from 
the dangers and annoyance of such proposals, if they 
will make their own thoughts, conversation, manners 
and conduct, so far above suspicion that there can be 
no mistake in regard to their wishes. 

If they will first, in their most secret thoughts, 
really desire to be chaste, and will then give their 
desires expression in their every word, intonation, ges- 
ture, attitude and act, it is very seldom that any man 
will attempt to lead them astray. And if they really 
desire and/eeZ right, their expressions will be right. 

ONLY HALF IN EARNEST 

In a great many cases, trouble arises from the fact 
that they are only half in earnest. They may intellect- 
ually prefer to take the right path, but their feelings 
tend toward the opposite course, and they cannot avoid 
the expression of their feelings. Men instinctively 



SEXUAL EXCESSES 193 

recognize the expression of these feelings, and many of 
them find it exceedingly difficult to resist the tempta- 
tion to respond to these secret desires, even though 
they respect the woman in every sense of the word, 
and intellectually, they greatly prefer to protect rather 
than to destroy her chastity. 

EACH ABOUT EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE 

These expressions of feeling, are an invitation to 
the man, that sometimes actually amount to a ban- 
ter. And it is not surprising that the man often 
fails to resist making advances in response to such invi- 
tations. 

As a rule, men instinctively appreciate the inherent 
chastity of a pure-minded woman, and intellectually, at 
least, they prefer to protect her. But when temptation 
is offered, they are no less human than she. And, as 
the man is the active one, and the woman the passive 
recipient of advances, it seems as though the man is 
the one most responsible, when, in reality, their respon- 
sibilities are about equal. 

And when the man is entirely responsible for the 
first advances, if he is met with genuine opposition, it 
is seldom that this opposition will not be respected 
except by actual criminals 

We fully realize that much of what has been state 



194 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

in this chapter and in the two preceding, is unneces- 
sary for a large part of our readers. But there are 
others who do need it all, and we have written for their 
benefit. But our duty is not completed by simply 
pointing out these wrongs. To finish our work, we 
must more fully explain the remedies. This we shall 
attempt in the pages that follow. 



CHAPTER XVI 

COMMON SENSE TREATMENT FOR 
SEXUAL WRONGS 

There are two principal causes that are responsible 
for most cases of sexual abuse or sexual indiscretion. 
First, sexual passions that are so strong or excitable 
that it is difficult to control them. Second, the bad 
influence of other people. 

The cure for sexual wrongs consists in subduing or 
modifying the sexual passions if they are too strong or 
too easily excited, in wisely controlling and directing 
the sexual activities, and in building desirable mental 
qualities together with bodily strength and vigor. The 
methods explained in the following pages will assist in 
the accomplishment of these objects. 

SEXUAL PASSION 

Perhaps we should more fully explain, before pro- 
ceeding further, that there is a great difference in the 
sexual passions of different people. 

Many girls do not have strong sexual passions. 
There are those who do not even know what sexual 
passion is. Some girls grow up and marry without 



196 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

ever having experienced a sexual desire, and they do 
not even realize that there is such a thing. They 
never dreamed that there are men and women whose 
instinctive sexual desires are so very strong and ardent 
that they are practically uncontrollable. 

Other girls, even before they have fully attained the 
development that occurs at puberty, begin to exper- 
ience feelings and desires that almost drive them to 
self-abuse, and they would find it almost impossible to 
resist sexual intercourse if the opportunity should be 
presented. 

Others have considerable sexual passion but it is 
not so strong that they cannot readily control it. 
These are very much more fortunate than those who 
are so extremely passionate. And perhaps they are 
also more fortunate than those with no passion. At 
all events, they are safe when they are under proper 
influences. But if they are uninformed, and especially 
if they are placed under the influence of those whose 
tendencies are downward, many of these girls will fall. 
It is these, and those with very strong passions, that 
especially need proper information and good influences. 

RELATION BETWEEN SEXUAL PASSION AND 
INTELLECT 

Sexual passion is a product of the animal part of 
men and women. It is possessed by the lower animals 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 197 

just the same as by human beings. It is an instinct or 
feeling. It is not a part of the intellect. But the 
intellect may guide, control and direct it. And this is 
one of the attributes in which human beings are supe- 
rior to the lower animals. 

The higher grades of human beings have intellect- 
ual and moral powers sufficient to enable them to prop- 
erly guide and control their appetites and passions. 
But the lower animals do not have this control over 
their propensities. The instincts, appetites and pas- 
sions control the lower animals, and also the lower 
grades of human beings. But among the higher grades 
of human beings, the intellect and morals are 
stronger than the appetites and passions, and the 
stronger powers of the mind, control those that are 
weaker. 

THE ANIMAL PART OF MAN AND THE HIGHER 
FACULTIES 

The animal part of man is absolutely essential to his 
well being. But the animal part is not the whole 
man, and it is not even the highest part. Therefore it 
should not be permitted to overpower his higher facul- 
ties nor to retard their development. The wiser plan is 
to make the animal part of man serve the best interests 
of his higher faculties. 



198 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

SHALL WE ENDEAVOR TO KILL ANIMAL PASSIONS 
OR TO WISELY DIRECT THEM? 

This is accomplished, not by killing animal appetites, 
passions and desires, as many have wished to do, but by 
properly modifying, controlling, guiding and directing 
them. They are thus made servants to the moral and 
intellectual faculties. 

So far as the majority of people are concerned, it 
would be impossible for them to entirely suppress 
sexual desires. And it is a question whether or not it 
would be wise to do so even if they could. But there 
is no question regarding the wisdom of properly con- 
trolling and guiding these desires. This can be done, 
and it is entirely practical and it will conduce to all of 
man's best interests. 

METHODS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A PHYSICIAN 

We will now investigate some of the best methods 
of treatment for self-abuse, sexual excesses, ungovern- 
able sexual passions, and the ill health and impaired 
mentality resulting therefrom. We shall confine our 
discussions to those methods that do not require a 
physician. These are all that will be required in most 
cases. But if a case does not respond to these methods, 
the patient should then have the benefit of medical 
treatment. But she should not attempt to use medi- 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 199 

cines except under the direction of a competent physi- 
cian. 

As most doctors give but little attention to these 
cases, they are, consequently, but poorly qualified to 
treat them. And if the patient cannot secure the ser- 
vices of a good, competent and conscientious physician, 
it will be better for her to discard drugs entirely and 
to employ still further the measures that we shall now 
explain. 

TREATMENT BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL 

The mind and body being both affected in these 
cases of sexual weakness, the patients require both 
mental and physical treatment. There must first be a 
decided change in the attitude of the patient's mind. 
The thoughts, feelings and desires that first led to her 
wrong, and that induced its continuation, these must 
all be changed to a very different class of thoughts, 
desires, feelings and ambitions. 

She should fully and unequivocally decide that her 
past habits, thoughts and desires have been a sad mis- 
take, and that she will now build the kind of physical 
and mental powers that vail be of actual benefit to her. 

STARTING ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY 

If she is not fully convinced that this will be a great 
improvement upon her past life, there are numerous 



200 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

good books upon these subjects, and she should read 
enough of them to fully convince her. They are all 
helpful in some way, and each will render her additional 
assistance. Our " Plain Talk to Young Men " is decid- 
edly different from this work, in its presentation of the 
subjects treated, and the patient may find therein just 
what she needs to make the entire subject clear to her. 
And whenever that object is fully accomplished, and 
her mental energies are consequently turned into more 
beneficial channels, that moment she has started on the 
road to recovery. 

THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS 

The thoughts and feelings that she has encouraged 
since first beginning her wrong habits, have directed too 
much of her life forces into the sexual organs. This 
has caused a congestion therein and it has robbed other 
parts of her body. Now, as her mind becomes more 
nearly normal in its action, her blood and nerve forces 
will be better distributed to other parts of the body, 
and she will build up those powers that will be of real 
value to her. Both her mind and body will slowly grow 
stronger. The improvement may be imperceptible for 
a long time, but it will slowly take place and will event- 
ually be plainly seen. The bad effects of her vice were 
slow but sure in making their appearance, and her cure 
can occur only by the same slow and imperceptible 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 201 

degrees. But it is equally sure if the patient will faith- 
fully perform her part. 

REMOVE THE CAUSE 

The bad habits that caused her weakness, must, of 
course, be discontinued. If the cause of her weakness 
is marital excesses, these sexual expenditures must be 
reduced to a point of moderation. If masturbation is 
the cause, this vice must be stopped entirely. 

If the case is not a very bad one, discontinuing the 
cause that produced the wrong, and establishing a 
normal action of the mind, are all that will be required 
to effect a cure. 

But cases of longer standing, and those in which 
the repetition of the vice has been frequent, these may 
require additional measures. 

When the habit of sexual abuse has continued for 
considerable time, and especially when the passions are 
decidedly strong, it is a very difficult matter to ever 
discontinue the vice, and the patient who thoroughly 
succeeds even in this, has already won a victory of no 
small importance. 

The control of the passions and the cure of the 
weakness and disorders caused by sexual abuse, will all 
"be further assissted by the measures that we shall 
now describe. 



202 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

CLEANLINESS 

Cleanliness of the sexual organs is essential to their 
health and vigor. This cleanliness does not usually 
require injections. But within the lips of the vulva, 
and all other parts that may be cleansed by the exter- 
nal use of clean water, and soap when necessary, these 
parts should be bathed often enough to keep them clean. 

Besides other demands for cleanliness, there are 
natural secretions that soon decay and give rise to a 
peculiar odor. These decayed secretions cause an irri- 
tation. And to guard against this irritation, the secre- 
tions must be frequently removed. Bathing the parts 
two or three times a week, or even less frequently may 
be sufficient in some cases. But others will require 
bathing every day. The cleansing should always be 
done before any irritation or itching has commenced. 

If water is used as cool as comfort will permit, this 
bathing will also tend to relieve any congestion of the 
parts. Common salt or sea salt added to the water is 
sometimes beneficial. 

SITZ BATH 

If the patient will sit in a tub of water as cool as 
comfort will admit, this will tend to still further relieve 
the congestion of the sexual organs. The water should 
be sufficient to come well up to the top of her hips or 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 203 

even higher, and she should remain in the bath from 
five to twenty minutes or longer. The bath will often 
be improved by the addition of sea salt or common 
table salt. 

The heat of the body soon warms the water, and 
it will often be beneficial to add cold water as the bath 
proceeds. The nerves that supply the sexual organs 
are given off from the spinal cord at the " small of the 
back." If the water comes well up over these parts, 
and the back is vigorously rubbed while the patient is 
still in the bath, she will be still further benefitted. 

WHEN THE BATH IS MOST BENEFICIAL 

Whenever the passions are most liable to become 
excited, or whenever the temptation to sexual abuse is 
greatest, then is a good time for a bath. If this time 
is soon after retiring, a good time for the bath is just 
before getting into bed. And if the bath is followed 
by the vigorous use of dumb-bells, Indian clubs or any 
other vigorous exercise, the benefit will be still great- 
er. 

In cleansing the sexual organs, the patient should 
be careful not to excite the passions. Her mind should 
not be permitted to dwell upon any subject that would 
favor the excitation. Chafing the skin, after the bath, 
is beneficial to other parts of the body; but such ma- 
nipulations should not approach the sexual organs as 



204 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

long as there is danger of exciting the sexual passions 
thereby. 

A FULL BATH 

A full bath should be taken often enough to keep 
the body thoroughly clean and the pores of the skin 
unobstructed. All bodily wastes should be freely car- 
ried off, and this cannot be done when the pores of the 
skin are obstructed. 

DIET 

Rich pastry of all descriptions, rich gravies, oys- 
ters and fish, all tend to stimulate the sexual passions. 
Tea, coffee, mustard, horse-radish, pepper sauce and 
spices are all stimulating and more or less injurious to 
everybody, and they are especially injurious to the vic- 
tims of any kind of sexual abuse. Wine and all forms of 
intoxicants are especially stimulating to the sexual 
passions. 

All the articles that we have named and all those 
that are similar, are especially injurious to everybody 
with strong passions, and such things are still more 
injurious to those who are already suffering from sex- 
ual wrongs. 

NOURISHMENT WITHOUT STIMULATION 

The diet of these patients should be plain and nour- 
ishing, cooling and easily digested, but not stimulating. 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 205 

Beef, mutton, pork, poultry and game, all tend, more or 
less, to stimulate passion, and they should be indulged 
in only moderately. But these are not so bad as the 
articles before mentioned, and these have the advantage 
of being decidedly nourishing. 

Among the best foods, are oatmeal, graham meal, 
wheaten grits, beans, peas, bread made from the whole 
wheat flour, and nearly all kinds of fruit and vege- 
tables. 

Pork is one of the most objectionable of the meats. 
Nourishment — force and building materials — without 
excitation, stimulation or difficulty of digestion, are 
the objects to be sought. 

SAFE GUARDS 

The constant exercise of either the mind or body, 
during all waking hours, will greatly assist in controll- 
ing the sexual passions and in curing all sexual 
wrongs. The food that is appropriated by the body, 
is being constantly transformed into vital force. This 
force must be expended in some way. Sexual abuse 
causes too much of this vital force to center in the 
sexual organs. And when a reform is attempted, it is 
very difficult to prevent the vital forces from still con- 
tinuing to center in the sexual system. 

This disposition of the vital force has become a 
fixed habit of the system. And all habits are hard to 



206 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

break. As vital force accumulates, it will gather in 
the sexual system unless it is drawn to other parts of 
the body by physical and mental exercise. And the 
brain and body being weak in proportion to their deple- 
tion, it is in the same proportion difficult to exercise 
either mind or body. But by a persistent effort, the 
habits of the body may be changed and the vital forces 
may be normally distributed throughout the body. 

SECRET THOUGHTS 

There is another reason for the persistent exercise 
of mind and body. One of the causes of excessive 
sexual passion and of sexual abuses, is the lewd or 
lascivious thoughts that enter the mind. It is there- 
fore very important to keep such thoughts out of the 
mind. And the best way to keep these thoughts out, 
is to keep other thoughts in. Anything therefore that 
will interest the patient and occupy her mind in a harm- 
less way, will be beneficial. And she should earnestly 
endeavor to become interested in something, and to 
keep her mind busy in a way that will benefit her. 
Music, art, science, literature, history, mathematics, 
chemistry, botany, horticulture or any other useful 
thing that will keep her mind busy, will prove beneficial. 

PHYSICAL CULTURE 

And any kind of physical work or exercise will draw 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 207 

the vital forces to the exercising muscles and will 
consequently assist to build up these muscles. It will 
also be of service by drawing the vital forces away 
from the sexual organs, and will thus tend to relieve 
the congestion therein. Housework, raising flowers, 
using dumb-bells or Indian clubs, and all kinds of phys- 
ical culture, are beneficial. Physical games of all kinds 
— croquet, tennis, golf, basket ball, etc., are good exer- 
cise and beneficial. Horseback and bicycle riding or 
any other kind of physical exercise or physical work of 
any kind, may be made to assist her. 

RELATION OF PASSION TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL 
EFFORT 

It is impossible for the passions to become greatly 
excited as long as a person is engaged in vigorous phys- 
ical exertions. If a person whose passions are greatly 
excited, will engage in vigorous exercise, the passions 
must subside. The passions cannot exist without the 
vital forces being centered in the sexual organs. And 
it is impossible for a person to exercise vigorously with- 
out centering the vital forces in the exercising muscles. 

As the vital forces cannot be centerd in both sys- 
tems at the same time, it follows, that a person could 
not possibly maintain sexual passion during protracted 
and vigorous physical exercise. 

The same laws apply to mental exercise. Sexual 



208 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

passion cannot continue during hard study or any other 
kind of vigorous mental work 

THE WHOLE MATTER IN A NUT SHELL 

We may therefore sum up the whole matter in a few 
words. Excessive sexual passion will die out of starva- 
tion if it is simply let alone. If the patient declines to 
stimulate it by thought or any kind of physical stimu- 
lus, but will energetically exercise both mind and body, 
the abnormal sexual passions must gradually disappear. 

The patient may therefore engage in any kind of 
physical or mental work or play, and she will be bene- 
fitted thereby. And the more she builds up her mind 
and body, the less difficulty she will have with the 
sexual passions. Work, consequently, is her salvation. 
And it not only frees her from the tyranny of sexual 
passion, but it also builds the physical and mental powers 
that will be of inestimable value to her. She thus 
becomes master of herself and uses her body as a con- 
venient machine to do her bidding. 

During the period of her struggling, when her 
sexual passions are becoming the master, if the patient 
will arise and run, or swing dumb-bells or clubs, or the 
broom, or engage in any kind of vigorous work or play, 
she can soon conquer the passions. And after the 
physical and mental work have been practiced for weeks 
and months and years, the passions will have been 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 209 

placed under perfect control and the patient will have 
acquired physical and mental power that will be of 
inestimable value to her as long as she lives. Is it not 
worth the effort ? 

ASSOCIATES 

Through all these efforts the patient will be greatly 
benefitted by the society of those who will amuse, 
entertain and interest her, and thus help her to keep 
her mind away from forbidden subjects. Young ladies 
and gentlemen, and older ones, too, will all help her, 
provided they are themselves pure. Those who are 
hopeful, happy, cheerful, light-hearted, earnest and 
ambitious, but who have no tendency toward sexual 
wrongs, will greatly assist the patient, and she should 
associate with such persons as freely as circumstances 
will permit. 

But she should persistently shun all those of either 
sex, who in any way lead her most secret thoughts 
toward dangerous subjects. 

POSSIBILITIES OF A SINGLE THOUGHT 

A single unfortunate thought may suggest feelings 
that will augment and intensify until they are uncon- 
trollable, and will lead to an act that will be the cause 
of sorrows and miseries unspeakable, blighting and 
blasting all future prospects, no matter how bright 
they may have been. 



210 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

When we consider the tremendous possibilities of a 
single thought, even the most secret, it is very evident 
that the kind of thoughts that enter the mind, is a 
matter of no small importance, and the patient should 
earnestly endeavor to keep her mind filled with 
thoughts that will prove beneficial to her, and then 
there will be no room for those that would be injuri- 
ous. 

As the thoughts that enter our minds are often 
those suggested by our surroundings, and especially by 
our associates, it is very evident that the environ- 
ments of these patients should be the best possible — 
especially their most constant and intimate associates.* 

PRECAUTIONS THAT HELP TO AVOID SEXUAL 
EXCITATION 

Those who are struggling against sexual vices or 1 
sexual indiscretions, should not forget that the pas- 
sions may be excited by either a physical or a mental 
stimulus — by an itching or irritation of the organs 
themselves, or by handling or manipulating them, and 
also by the thoughts and feelings that enter the 
patient's mind. It is not always sufficient, therefore, 
to remove but part of these causes. All of them must 
be avoided. The instructions contained in this chapter, 
will assist the patient in accomplishing this object and 
also in building desirable qualities and powers. 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 211 

A NOBLE LIFE PURPOSE 

Her earnest effort should be to build physical and 
mental power and to let abnormal sexual passion starve 
and die. And anything and everything that will assist 
her to accomplish these purposes, should be pressed 
into service as they may be needed. Let her purpose 
be the accomplishment of these objects. And when 
they are accomplished, then let her accumulated mental 
and physical powers be used in accomplishing some 
noble life work, as a wife and mother, or in some line 
of physical or mental effort, as her circumstances, 
tastes and talents may lead her. 

As we write these pages, the following notice is 
posted in conspicuous places in our post-office and in 
the postal stations throughout the city: 

WANTED. 

For The United States Marine Corps. 

Able Bodied Men of Good Character, 
Between the Ages of 21 and 35 Years, 

not less than 5 feet 4 inches and not over 6 feet 1 inch 
in height, of Good Character, and Not addicted to 
the Use of Liquor. 

You will observe that it is only the superior men 
that the government wants. In other words, the 



212 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

government wants only those men that can be of most 
service to it, and these are the able-bodied and moral. 

DEMAND FOR SUPERIOR WOMEN 

It is the same with all private enterprises. The 
best men and women are ever in demand. They are 
needed everywhere. Good women are especially 
needed to-day to assist in directing the thought of the 
Twentieth century. They are needed in the W. C. T. U., 
and in associations, clubs and societies of various kinds. 
They are needed in the homes, as sisters, wives and 
mothers. The incentive to be a superior woman is 
sufficient to justify every necessary effort to be one. 
The recompense in power, influence, happiness and the 
satisfaction of having benefitted humanity, is ample 
and generous. 

IMPORTANCE OF HYGIENIC MEASURES 

The importance of the rational measures that we 
have described herein, can hardly be over-estimated. 
Whether a patient is under the care of a physician or 
not, these measures are equally important. If she has 
enough will power, judgment and decision left, to enable 
her to faithfully follow these instructions, and if she 
will honestly do so, her cure is certain. And the best 
of physicians cannot cure bad cases if the patient does 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 213 

not assist him by observing common sense, hygienic 
measures. 

Even mild cases that are receiving medical treat- 
ment, will derive great benefits from these rational 
measures. And all cases will be cured much more 
quickly, by combining hygiene with the medicines. In 
fact, these measures are practically indispensible in the 
cure of almost every case of sexual weakness or perver- 
sion. And in most cases, they, alone, are amply suffi- 
cient, and neither medical treatment nor even a physi- 
cian's advice or counsel will be required.* 

CAUTION AGAINST A POSSIBLE MISTAKE 

Before closing this volume we desire to caution the 
young reader against a possible mistake. One of the 
objects of this book is to show the importance of sex- 
uality. But we do not wish to leave the impression 
that sexuality is any more important than many other 
attributes. 

*If further information or special advice is desired, 
address Virgil P English, M. D., Cleveland, Ohio. 

No charge will be made for a little counsel, information 
or advice, and we shall be glad to help those who will earn^ 
estly help themselves, and who really desire to make their 
lives the greatest possible success. We are usually very 
busy, however, and cannot devote any more time to this 
matter than is absolutely necessary, and sometimes, perhaps, 
we shall be unable to answer promptly. But whenever a 
stamp is enclosed for reply, and the writing is plain and the 
questions are clear and concise, we shall answer as soon as 
our other duties will permit. 



214 PLAIN TALK YOUNG TO WOMEN 

The importance of the reproductive organs is really 
beyond our ability to measure. But other organs are 
also important. Every organ has a value that can not 
be estimated, and it requires them all to constitute a 
superior man or woman. 

Every organ in the body has an important function 
to perform, and perfect men and women are perfect in 
every department of mind and body. The reproduc- 
tive system is simply one of the very important parts 
of men and women. 

SEXUALITY, NOT SEXUAL PASSION 

Another point that we desire to emphasize, is the 
fact that sexuality is not sexual passion, and the one is 
not dependent upon the other. On the contrary, one of 
them may be very strong and the other very weak. 
For example, the sexual passions of a man or woman 
may be so strong, irritable or excitable, that they are 
practically uncontrollable, and yet this same person 
may be so poorly sexed or so depleted or exhausted 
sexually, that the parentage of superior children would 
be impossible and perhaps none at all could ■ be pro- 
duced. 

Another person who is superbly sexed, may have 
the sexual passions under thorough and complete 
control. 

Controlling the sexual passions and wisely directing 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 215 

sexual energies, do not, therefore, detract from sexu- 
ality. On the contrary, the upbuilding and increasing 
of sexuality are favored thereby. And while the 
sexual passions should be wisely controlled and directed, 
there is no objection to the development of sexuality. 
In fact, it should be developed by many persons. 

HOW SEXUALITY MAY BE DEVELOPED 

A girl may develop her sexuality by thinking and 
feeling and acting as all well sexed and popular ladies 
do. The thoughts and feelings direct the building of 
the physique. Ladies who are well sexed, beautiful 
and attractive in physical appearance, are also well 
sexed, beautiful and attractive in mind. And these 
qualities existed in the mind before they were built 
into the physique. The girl who desires to become 
better sexed and more beautiful and attractive, can do 
so by acquiring the thoughts and feelings that are 
common to all well sexed, beautiful and attractive 
women. 

If you desire these qualities and powers, when you 
see superior women, especially if they are in com- 
pany with gentlemen, study their manners, attitudes, 
expressions, intonations, deportment, smiles, conver- 
sation, remarks and all their expressions of thought 
and feeling, and if you can acquire similar thoughts 
and feelings, you can build sexuality. Assistance in 



216 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

this effort may be derived from our descriptions of 
well sexed women, as given in previous pages of this 
volume, especially in Chapters XI and XII. 

And when you are in the company of gentlemen, 
let your manners and your conduct toward them be 
those of a well sexed woman, and your sexuality, 
beauty and attractiveness will grow, and also many 
other desirable qualities. 

EXCESSIVE PASSION, DEPLETING AND 
EXHAUSTING 

The influence of sexuality is constructive. Sensu- 
ality and passion are exhausting. Sexuality tends 
to build all desirable qualities and powers as a prep- 
aration for the best success in reproduction. But 
expending the forces in sexual excesses, sexual passion 
and sexual abuses, are all exhausting and depleting. 
Sexuality, therefore, is constructive, but excessive 
sexual passion is destructive. 

And even though excessive passion does not lead 
to sexual excesses, indiscretions or abuses, still it is 
exhausting and depleting. It is a waste of the vital 
forces to generate the passion. And controlling it, 
expends forces that could be much more profitably 
used for other purposes, if there were no excessive 
passions to control. 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 217 

AVOID THE VERY BEGINNING OF DANGERS 

It is, therefore, very much better, and it is also 
much easier, to avoid the excitation of the passions, 
than it is to control them after they are aroused. It 
is much easier for a boy in coasting, to remain at the 
top of the hill, than it is for him to stop at any point 
in the descent. A man in rowing a boat upon a swift 
stream that flows over a dangerous cataract, is never 
so safe at any point in the stream, as he was before he 
left the shore. And the nearer he approaches the 
falls, the greater is his danger. 

It is the same with sexual passions. The greatest 
safety, is before they are excited at all. It is easier 
to avoid excitation than it is to control them after 
they are excited. And the patient who is wise, will 
avoid the very beginning of danger. She will avoid 
whatever is liable to lead to danger. If it is dancing, 
she will avoid this kind of pleasure. If it is the kiss- 
ing games that are common at parties in certain local- 
ities, she will avoid these games. And she will find it 
much better and easier to remain away from the 
parties, than to resist the dancing or the games after 
she arrives. 

If she finds danger in the conversation, allusions, 
jokes or manners of certain ladies, it will usually be 
easier to avoid the society of such ladies, than to resist 
their dangerous influence when in their presence. 



218 PLAIN TALK YOUNG TO WOMEN 

THE REASON THAT SOME PATIENTS FAIL 

Some girls will fall because they are not fully in 
earnest. They are not fully convinced that chastity 
and discretion will really bring them more pleasure 
than any sexual wrongs possibly could. They may 
realize that there are dangers in sexual wrongs or 
indiscretions, but they think that there are also points 
of safety, and they attempt to approach the danger line 
as near as possible without injury. 

IMPOSSIBILITY OP DECEIVING NATURE 

These girls will be almost sure to fail. They may, 
for a time, deceive most people, and they may even 
succeed in deceiving themselves, but they cannot deceive 
Nature. Her laws are so adjusted that our most secret 
thoughts and feelings and desires will bear the very 
same kind of seed that we sow. The patient who will 
make a really valuable and complete success, is she who 
has a sincere ambition to be a superior woman. Not 
she who secretly desires to approach the point of dan- 
ger as near as possible without incurring punishment. 

There are many men and women that spend their 
money so freely upon trifles, that they can never accu- 
mulate enough at any one time to buy a home or any 
other object of much real value. It is the same with 
sexual energy. Many people waste these energies and 



TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL WRONGS 219 

they never accumulate enough power to be superior. 
But the best men and women, preserve these energies. 

SUPERB WOMANHOOD 

The highest type of woman, is strong, vigorous and 
healthful in every department of mind and body. All 
of her sexual organs are well developed, strong and 
vigorous. She has an abundance of reproductive 
energy that is wisely preserved until the proper time 
to expend it in a normal and proper way, and then she 
expends it only moderately. This is what we mean by 
being well sexed. This is sexuality. 

ACCUMULATED POWER, ENERGY AND 
EFFICIENCY 

Such a woman has an abundance of accumulated 
power, energy and efficiency that may be expended at 
the proper time in superior motherhood. But she has 
no irritability or excessive excitability of the passions. 
She rules and guides the passions. She does not per- 
mit them to rule her. Her acts and all her conduct 
are directed by prudence, judgment and discretion. 
She is the embodiment of a high type of efficiency as 
a wife and mother. 

And even though she never becomes a mother, 
and does not even marry, still, she is a superior 
woman, and she will be beautiful and popular. 



220 PLAIN TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN 

It is not being a wife and mother that is essential 
to beauty and popularity, but it is being amply quali- 
fied for those duties. And even though such a woman 
should not marry, she will, nevertheless, be attractive, 
beautiful and popular. And her talents, efficiency and 
influence can be used in other channels that will bring 
ample rewards in satisfaction, comfort, pleasure, happi- 
ness and popularity. And if a desirable opportunity for 
marriage and motherhood should be presented, she is 
then prepared to perform every function of this new 
life, and in a way that promises the greatest possible 
success and happiness. 



THE END 



DR. ENGLISH'S 

PRACTICE IS LIMITED TO 

Chronic Diseases 

OF BOTH SEXES 

His Specialities are Diseases of the 

BRAIN AND SPINE 
AND ALL OTHER NERVOUS DISORDERS 
and the DISEASES OF WOMEN 

Most cases can be treated by mail -with entire success. For further 
information, CONSULTATION OR A D V I C E , describe the case briefly, 
but clearly, enclose stamp for reply, and address 

Dr. VIRGIL P. ENGLISH, 13 Plymouth St., CLEVELAND, 0. 

THE DOCTOR'S By V. P. English, M.D., is the most 

PLAIN TALK popular book of the kind ever pub- 

Tn lished. Numerous editions have been 

' ^ sold in rapid succession and still the 

YOUNG MEN demand continues. 

It tells exactly what most people 
want to know, especially young men, and in language that 
all can understand. It contains 200 pages the size of these, 
is fully illustrated, printed on he aw laid paper and bound 
in cloth. Price, $1.00. OHIO STATE PUB. CO., CLEVELAND, 0. 



THE MIND By V. P. English, M. D., teaches the 

AND foundation principles of CHARAC- 

ITS MACHINERY T ?* Reading, it describes the 

mind as the man and the body as a 
machine that the mind constructs and operates for the purpose 
of executing its desires. It explains how the build, contours, 
development and qualities of the body, show the character 
of the mind that uses it. 

This book contains the best description of The Tem- 
peraments that has ever been published. It gives a very 
plain and clear description of the construction and operation 
of the human body and it shows the mutual inter-relations 
between the body and the mind that uses it. Read in con- 
nection with Dr. English's other books, it renders them all 
still more plain, interesting, instructive and valuable. 

The "Mind and its Machinery" contains 200 pages the 
same size as these, printed on finely finished book paper, 
with bold, clear type. It is thoroughly illustrated by diagrams 
and half-tone portraits of well known people, and is bound in 
cloth. Price, $1.00. Descriptive circulars, Free. 

Address OHIO STATE PUB. CO., 
13 Plymouth St., CLEVELAND, 0.,U. S. A. 



DR. ENGLISH'S 

HOME TREATMENT 

FOR LADIES 

A POSITIVE CURE FOR 

Uterine and Ovarian Diseases 

AND THE WEAKNESS, IRREGULARITIES AND PAINS 
PECULIAR TO WOMEN 



ADAPTED 
ALIKE TO 

AND 



WIVES, MOTHERS 

AND 

DAUGHTERS 



IT ALSO CURES 

SPINAL IRRITATION 

AND OTHER 

NERVOUS DISORDERS 

OF BOTH SEXES 

Convenient, Inexpensive, Certain 

No doctor bills. No loss of time and car fare in visits to his office. 
No publicity. No tedious wait. No embarrassing examination. You 
TREAT YOURSELF— CURE yourself in the retirement of your own 
borne. 

This is the most thorough, complete and effective treatment ever 
offered outside of the best sanitariums, and it costs hardly one-tenth as 
much as sanitarium treatment. 

It is designed for the very worst cases— cases in which the best physi- 
cians and all other methods fail. It has frequently saved patients from 
the terrors of the surgeon's knife, by curing them after the surgeons had 
said that they could never get well without an operation 

For further information, address 

Dr. VIRGIL P. ENGLISH, 
13 Plymouth St., Cleveland, 0., U. S. A. 



DR. ENGLISH'S 

SPECIAL TREATMENT 

for SPINAL IRRITATION and other 

NERVOUS DISORDERS 

Cures the very worst cases even when the best physicians fail. 
Can be taken in the patient's own home without a doctor. 
Prompt and positive in the most severe cases of 

SPINAL IRRITATION 

no matter whether the disease results from an injury, weakness or some 
unknown cause. 

For MEN, WOMEN and CHILDREN 

SPINAL IRRITATION CAUSES THE FOLLOWING 
SYMPTOMS 
HEADACHE or pains in the head, especially in the back part or at BASE 
OF BRAIN; sensations that seem like a pulling or stretching of CORDS 
IN THE NECK; trouble with the EYES, connected with pains or aching 
in the back part of the head or neck or upper part of the shoulders; a 
frequent desire to SIGH or yawn or take a deep, full breath, and in some 
cases, an inability to do so; pains or very peculiar and disagreeable 
feelings in the region of the HEART, LUNGS, STOMACH, KIDNEYS, 
or other parts of the body that doctors often call Dyspepsia, Neuralgia, 
Rheumatism, Female Weakness, etc., but fail to cure; pains or a sensa- 
tion of oppression like a BELT AROUND THE BODY or part way 
around; a PARTIAL PARALYSIS of the arms, shoulders, hands. lower 
limbs or feet, causing pains in these parts or sensations of numbness, 
coldness, heaviness, or a tingling, or a feeling resembling the prickin? of 
pins or as if the parts were asleep; SORE, TENDER or BURNING 
POINTS ALONG the SPINE. 

If this disease is neglected, the suffering that it causes often becomes 
most intensely excruciating and agonizing and frequently leads to paral- 
ysis and insanity, and death sometimes results from sheer exhaustion 
caused by the intense suffering. 

The foregoing list is only a part of the symptoms caused by this 
disease, but it is seldom that even that many appear in one patient. 

For further particulars, enclose stamp for reply and address 

Dr. VIRGIL P. ENGLISH, 
.13 Plymouth St., CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A. 



3\W 






^ 



